Few indigenous trees signal the arrival of spring as beautifully as Dombeya rotundifolia. The Wild pear is one of the first trees to flower, producing masses of sweetly scented, white to pinkish-white blossoms, often before its new leaves appear. Despite its common name and its resemblance to a flowering pear, it is not related to the true pear.

The Wild pear is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree with a single stem, spreading branches and a rounded crown. In drier areas, it may grow as a multi-stemmed tree or large shrub. It is fast-growing and usually reaches 3–6m at maturity, although it can grow up to 10m in favourable conditions. In garden settings, the crown spreads to about 3–5m.

The almost round, dark green leaves are covered in fine, star-shaped hairs. They turn yellow before falling in autumn. Flowering takes place from July to September, starting earlier in warmer regions. Unusually, the flowers stay on the tree after flowering and turn brown and papery as the fruit develops. When the ripe fruit capsules fall, the dried petals act as little wings that carry the seeds on the wind.

The Wild pear tolerates drought, frost and wind, which makes it an excellent choice for Gauteng gardens. Its mature, corky bark protects it against veld fires, and once established, it needs little maintenance. The rounded crown casts light summer shade, and the non-aggressive root system makes the tree suitable for small gardens. It also works well in parks and urban landscapes, either as a specimen tree or as part of an indigenous planting scheme.

Did you know?
The Wild pear is a larval host plant for the Ragged Skipper butterfly, whose caterpillars feed on its leaves. Bees and many other butterflies visit its nectar-rich flowers