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Ussurian Pear (Siberian) vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)
Catalpa speciosa
Pyrus ussuriensis
Northern Catalpa is a striking feature tree with showy flowers, and very large leaves. Its orchid-like flowers are white with yellow and purple accents, and they have a pleasant fragrance. They bloom from late spring to early summer and can last up to two weeks, attracting hummingbirds and pollinators. The leaves are very large, ranging from 15-30 cm long, 12-20 cm wide, forming a canopy that makes it a good shade tree.
They can tolerate dry conditions as well as standing water, air pollution, and salt. These factors and its beauty contribute to its growing popularity as both a boulevard and ornamental tree in colder areas.
Northern Catalpa produces long bean-like capsules and are sometimes called the Cigar Tree in reference to this fruit.
Ussurian Pear is the most cold hardy of all pear species. It is frequently used as a rootstock or as a pollinizer for other pear varieties. The pinkish-white flowers that bloom in the spring and the striking fall colours make it well-suited as an ornamental addition to your landscape.
Ussurian Pear can also be used for forming hedges as it tends to branch quite low.
While the Ussurian Pear is considered self-pollinating, planting with another pear variety will increase yields. Can be paired with Krazulya Pear or Beedle Pear.