With white flower clouds over bronze-colored leaf shoots, followed by furious autumn color and spherical, edible fruits. These are the aesthetic attributes with which the copper rock pear pampers us. The following answers to frequently asked questions clarify the advantages of the currant tree from a cultivation perspective.
How do I care for a copper rock pear in the garden?
The copper rock pear is an attractive ornamental tree that is planted in gardens. It requires a full sun to light shade location, fresh, moist and well-drained soil, and regular watering. Use compost and horn shavings as fertilizer and prune the plant after flowering.
Care tips
With the copper rock pear, a magnificent ornamental tree moves into your garden, which is satisfied with the following mini care program:
- Water regularly during the year of planting, later only when the summer is dry
- Starting fertilization with compost (€10.00 on Amazon) and horn shavings covers the nutrient requirements in March/April
- Thoroughly thin out every year immediately after flowering
- Topiary cutting if necessary at the end of May/beginning of June by a maximum of two thirds
While the currant tree receives a cover of foliage on the root disk as winter protection during the planting year, you can save yourself this effort on the adult tree or shrub. However, ground frosts in spring can damage the tender buds. If night frost is forecast, cover the shrub or tree crown in a breathable fleece.
Which location is suitable?
If you choose the location to accommodate the high light requirements, the currant tree will thank you for this consideration with a lavish floral display and rich fruit cover in autumn. We have put together all the relevant criteria for you here:
- Full sunny location up to light shade
- Normal garden soil, fresh, moist and well-drained
- Preferably a slightly acidic to alkaline pH value of 4.5 to 8.5
Because the tree or shrub develops a shallow root system, areas with compacted soil should be avoided. A sandy-loamy to loamy-clayey soil without the risk of waterlogging is an advantage.read more
The correct planting distance
The umbrella-shaped silhouette as a shrub or tree almost imposes a solitary planting on us. In a row or as a group, the elegant habit with the slightly curved branches would only be partially effective. Therefore, choose an appropriate planting distance of at least 4 m to the right and left so that the currant tree can present itself impressively even when it is older.
What soil does the plant need?
In any good garden soil, the copper rock pear happily spreads its shallow root system. A fresh, moist and well-drained consistency, in combination with a slightly acidic to alkaline pH value of 4.5 to 8.5, is desirable. The closer the quality of the soil is to humus-loose forest soil, the more vital the growth.
Cut the copper rock pear correctly
The currant tree naturally develops a harmonious, umbrella-shaped stature. Since the tree or shrub only grows slowly, a topiary is not an option every year. However, you should thin out the ornamental tree regularly. How to do it right:
- Immediately after flowering, thin out the shrub or tree crown thoroughly
- Cut off all dead wood at the base as well as stunted, crossing or inward-facing branches
- If necessary, shorten shoots that are too long by one to two thirds
- Make each cut 2-3 mm above an outward-facing eye (thickening under the bark)
Furthermore, keep an eye on the wildlife on a grafted tree all year round. If cheeky wild shoots sprout here, tear them off with a courageous tug so that the grafted part is not overgrown.read more
Pouring copper rock pear
A young tree or shrub always needs a lot of water as long as it is rooted in the ground. Therefore, water a freshly planted currant tree regularly and thoroughly as soon as the soil has dried out. Adult rock pears make do with natural rainfall. If there is a prolonged drought during the summer, water thoroughly once or twice a week instead of watering just a little every day. Run the garden hose for 20-30 minutes to ensure all roots are supplied with water.
Fertilize copper rock pear properly
The nutrient requirements of a copper rock pear are at a low level. Starting fertilization in March/April with compost (€10.00 on Amazon) and horn shavings is completely sufficient for the season. Only work the organic material in superficially with the rake without damaging the shallow root system. Then water thoroughly.
Diseases
You will rarely have to complain about plant diseases with a copper rock pear. Although the name suggests otherwise, there is no close botanical relationship to a real pear. This means you can safely forget about concerns about the dreaded disease pear gridiron. As a pome fruit tree, the currant tree is not immune to the dangerous bacterial disease fire blight. If the leaves turn brown-black and wilt while black shoot tips lean to the ground, immediate action is required. Radically cut the tree or shrub back to he althy wood and dispose of the cuttings in the household waste.read more
Wintering
The copper rock pear is completely hardy. No special precautions are required to ensure that the tree or shrub gets through the cold season unscathed. We only recommend light winter protection in the form of a layer of leaves on the root disc in the year of planting. In spring the buds can freeze due to delayed ground frosts. If the meteorologists predict sub-zero temperatures at night, put a breathable hood over the shrub or tree crown.
Propagate copper rock pear
Unfortunately, no method of propagation proves to be uncomplicated. Even when using common techniques, the copper rock pear is quite stubborn. If you still want to try the experiment, choose from these approaches:
- Cutting cuttings in early summer
- Refining by means of inoculation, copulation or grafting of scions onto a wild rootstock
- Sowing the cold germinators behind glass after stratification
How do I transplant correctly?
In the first 5 years you can transplant a currant tree without hesitation. Ideally, you should move the tree or shrub to its new location in the fall. An extensive supply of water in the following days and weeks ensures that the copper rock pear re-roots.
Is copper rock pear poisonous?
The copper rock pear is not poisonous. On the contrary, the spherical fruits can be eaten fresh in late summer. You can also use the berries to make refreshing jams, juices or liqueurs. The minimal glycoside content in the leaves and seeds is harmless. Kilos of berries would have to be eaten before nausea or other symptoms would occur.read more
Beautiful varieties
- Rainbow Pillar: Columnar currant tree with white spring flowers; ideal for small gardens; Growth height 3-5 m
- Ballerina: The noble variety impresses with abundant flowers, magnificent autumn colors and edible fruits; 3-5 m
- Rubescens: Beautiful currant tree with red-brown shoots and delicate pink flowers from April to May; 3-5 m
