Static reference asset

Manchurian & Ornamental Pear Selector

A quick-lookup table for choosing between Manchurian pear, Callery pear cultivars, compact ornamental pears, and related Pyrus species by mature size, form, use case, and planting cautions.

Data compiled from and expanded on this guide to Manchurian pear varieties.

Narrowest formal screen Capital pear: tall column, about 2–4 m spread.
Compact courtyard picks Korean Sun, Jack Dwarf, and Winter Glow stay smaller than most street pears.
Cold-hardy Manchurian type Pyrus ussuriensis and Prairie Gem are useful where frost tolerance matters.
Check local rules first Callery pear cultivars can be invasive or restricted in parts of North America.
Showing all entries
Tree / Cultivar Relation Height m Spread m Form Best Use Seasonal Value Fruit / Mess Watch-outs
Manchurian / Ussurian PearPyrus ussuriensis Core Manchurian pear species 8–12 6–8 roundeddense Parks, broad gardens, avenues, cold-climate ornamental planting Early spring blossom; dark red autumn foliage Small, hard, mostly ornamental fruit Allow canopy spread; avoid planting tight against foundations or paving.
Prairie Gem Flowering PearPyrus ussuriensis 'MorDak' Compact Manchurian/Ussurian cultivar 6–8 5–6 roundedcold hardy Cold regions, residential front yards, small shade tree White spring flowers; yellow-orange autumn colour Small non-edible fruit, usually heavier with cross-pollination Still needs structural pruning while young.
Capital PearPyrus calleryana 'Capital' Related ornamental Callery pear cultivar 10–12 2–4 columnarnarrow Driveways, tight street verges, formal rows, narrow screening White spring flowers; red to purple autumn foliage Small ornamental fruit Verify Callery pear rules; narrow form still needs root and canopy clearance.
Chanticleer / Cleveland Select / Glens FormPyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' Common article-adjacent ornamental pear 8–11 3–6 pyramidalupright Street trees, screening, pleaching, medium gardens Heavy white bloom; reliable red-orange autumn colour Small inedible fruit Stronger than Bradford but still a Callery pear; verify local invasiveness.
Aristocrat PearPyrus calleryana 'Aristocrat' Broad upright Callery pear comparison 10–15 7–9 pyramidalbroad Feature shade tree, open lawns, larger avenues White blossom; yellow-red to purple autumn colour Small hard ornamental fruit Needs room; Callery pear status varies by region.
Bradford PearPyrus calleryana 'Bradford' Older Callery pear cultivar for cautionary comparison 10–12 8–9 roundedhigh caution Historically used as a street/feature tree; often not recommended now White spring bloom; strong autumn colour Small fruit can create seedlings when cross-pollinated Weak branch angles, storm breakage, invasive risk, and restrictions in some regions.
Redspire PearPyrus calleryana 'Redspire' Hardy upright Callery pear comparison 10–12 5–8 pyramidalupright Street planting, avenues, medium-to-large screens White or pink-tinged flowers; bright autumn colour Small ornamental fruit Can be too broad for courtyards; verify Callery pear regulations.
Autumn Blaze PearPyrus calleryana 'Autumn Blaze' Cold-hardy Callery pear comparison 9–11 6–8 roundedspreading Small shade tree, colder urban sites, broad verges White flowers; early fiery red autumn foliage Few to small ornamental fruit Callery pear restrictions may apply; avoid cramped planting strips.
Winter Glow PearPyrus calleryana 'Winter Glow' Compact/semi-persistent foliage comparison 6–8 3–5 uprightcompact Small gardens, courtyards, screens where leaf retention is useful Pink-eyed white flowers; yellow-bronze autumn foliage; holds leaves late Small ornamental fruit Often marketed as semi-evergreen; actual leaf retention depends on climate.
Jack Dwarf PearPyrus calleryana 'Jaczam' Dwarf Callery pear comparison 4.5–5 3 compactunder wires Courtyards, narrow streets, below utility lines, small formal gardens Heavy white spring bloom; autumn colour Small ornamental fruit Compact does not remove local Callery pear cautions.
Korean Sun PearPyrus fauriei 'Westwood' Compact ornamental Pyrus alternative 3.5–4.5 4–5 roundedcompact Small gardens, courtyards, low feature tree, under-wire planting White flowers; red, orange, and yellow autumn foliage Small black inedible fruit Slow to moderate growth; prune lightly to keep a tidy canopy.
Snow PearPyrus nivalis Related grey-leaved ornamental pear 6–10 5–7 roundedloose Feature tree, avenue, informal screen, light shade Masses of white spring flowers; silvery young foliage Tart yellow-green fruit; usually ornamental Needs sun and room for rounded canopy development.
Weeping Silver PearPyrus salicifolia 'Pendula' Silvery weeping ornamental pear alternative 4–7 4–6 weepingsilver foliage Feature tree, Mediterranean-style gardens, courtyards, containers when young White spring flowers; silver-grey foliage; winter branch structure Small hard fruit May need shaping to prevent a tangled canopy.
Silver Sails PearPyrus elaeagnifolia 'Silver Sails' Silver-leaved Pyrus comparison 4–8 4–8 roundedsilver foliage Dry sunny sites, foliage contrast, feature tree White flowers; grey-silver foliage through the growing season Small brown ornamental fruit Give full sun and well-drained soil; can be thorny.
Evergreen PearPyrus kawakamii Semi-evergreen Pyrus comparison 5–9 4–9 roundedsemi-evergreen Courtyard tree, mild-climate feature tree, early blossom display Very early white flowers; glossy foliage; brief leaf drop in some climates Small ornamental fruit Needs pruning for symmetry; best in mild regions.
Beech Hill PearPyrus communis 'Beech Hill' European pear cultivar used ornamentally 8–12 4–8 columnarconical Street tree, formal avenue, narrow feature tree White spring flowers; orange-red autumn colour Produces edible pears, often wildlife-friendly Fruit drop can be messy in paved areas.
Asian / Nashi PearPyrus pyrifolia Edible-fruit Pyrus comparison 3–9 3–9 roundededible Food gardens where fruit value matters more than formal shape White spring blossom; edible crisp fruit Edible fruit; can attract wildlife and create seasonal cleanup Needs fruit-tree pruning, pollination planning, pest/disease checks.
Whitehouse PearPyrus calleryana 'Whitehouse' Narrow Callery pear comparison 9–11 4–5 columnarupright Street rows, narrow lawns, vertical accent planting White flowers; early reddish-purple autumn colour Small ornamental fruit Callery pear restrictions may apply; monitor branch structure.
Trinity PearPyrus calleryana 'Trinity' Smaller rounded Callery pear comparison 8–9 6–8 roundedoval Shade, parkway/street planting, medium feature tree White spring flowers; orange-red autumn colour Small ornamental fruit Not a tight-space tree despite smaller height; verify local status.
Valiant PearPyrus calleryana 'Valzam' Narrow compact Callery pear comparison 8–9 4–5 pyramidalcompact Formal screens, streetscapes, medium gardens needing upright form White mid-spring flowers; deep red autumn foliage Small tan ornamental fruit Check local planting rules for Callery pear cultivars.

Fast decision rules

  • Choose Capital for the narrowest upright look.
  • Choose Korean Sun or Jack Dwarf for compact gardens.
  • Choose Manchurian / Ussurian pear or Prairie Gem when cold tolerance is the main requirement.
  • Avoid Bradford where storm breakage, invasiveness, or legal restrictions are concerns.
  • For a silvery feature tree, compare Weeping Silver Pear, Silver Sails, and Snow Pear.

Planting checklist

  • Match mature spread to the actual planting strip, not the nursery pot size.
  • Plant in full sun and well-drained soil for best flowering and autumn colour.
  • Water regularly during establishment, then reduce once mature.
  • Prune young trees for structure before weak branch angles become a problem.
  • Check regional rules before planting any Pyrus calleryana cultivar.