This variant of the Pyrus calleryana, the Chanticleer is well known for being the very best of the Ornamental pears with many reasons to recommend it with its medium height, oval shape meaning it suits urban areas perfectly. It got its name after the cockerel in Chauncer’s Canterbury Tales and has been around since 1965. It has won the Award of Garden Merit in 2002 due to its magnificent autumn foliage.
The Ornamental Pear shows its bright green foliage during the spring months which compliments the flowers which tend to appear during the early spring and last throughout the spring giving a beautiful garden display. Come Autumn season, the bright green foliage turns into the magnificent orange and red colour which gives a beautiful display of colour to brighten up any garden coming into the darker time of year. The Chanticleer retains a oval shape over time which makes it look very uniform and makes it perfect for use in urban area where there wouldn’t be space for branches to grow out.
The Ornamental Pear is a tough performer being able to tolerate tough conditions including urban areas and also a large array of soil types. It can withstand pollution and also some salt laden winds but should not be planted in direct line with salt.