Ornamental pear trees (Pyrus) are hardy, easy to grow, and provide an interesting feature in your garden all year round.  Your local plant wholesaler will have many different varieties for you to choose from, all of which offer pretty blossoms in the spring, lush foliage during the summer, and bright, colourful leaves in the autumn.  Here's a quick guide on how to plant your ornamental pear tree.

Where to site your ornamental pear tree 

The best time to plant ornamental pear trees is in the mid to late springtime when the winter frosts have finished and the weather is milder.  Ornamental pear trees enjoy a position where they can receive full or partial sun, so choose a spot that's not shaded by overhanging trees or buildings.  They will tolerate most soil types, as long as the soil is well-draining and kept moist.

Try to avoid planting your ornamental pear tree in an exposed place where it could be damaged by winds.  A sheltered, south-facing spot is perfect.

Planting

1. Your tree will come with its roots protected by a plastic bag or pot.  The night before you intend to plant the tree, give it a good watering so that it is well-hydrated before planting.  This helps to prevent the tree becoming stressed, which could leave it vulnerable to disease.  
2. Using a sharp spade, dig a hole for the pear tree.  The hole should be slightly shallower than the tree's root ball and roughly twice as wide.  Keep the leftover soil to one side, as you'll need this for infilling the hole later.  
3. Unwrap the tree's root ball from its plastic shroud and place it into the hole, ensuring that the root ball sits slightly proud of the surface of the soil. Now, use the excavated soil to infill the space around the root ball.  Use your hands to pat the soil down firmly, so that the ornamental pear tree is held securely upright.  
4. It's a good idea to use a tree stake to help your young pear tree to grow straight and to protect it from damage by wind.  Place the tree stake through the root ball a few centimetres from the tree's trunk, and use garden twine to loosely join the two, midway up the trunk.  As the tree grows and the trunk thickens, you can remove the twine and the stake.  
5. Finish off by watering your ornamental pear tree thoroughly.

In conclusion

An ornamental pear tree makes an easy to care for, attractive additional feature to your garden.  Ask your local plant wholesaler for details on what varieties of ornamental pear trees they have available.