Nijisseiki pear is a variety of Pyrus pyrifolia noted for its bright flowers in early spring and juicy fruit in late summer. It has red-orange leaves in the fall. It is probably the most popular Asian pear variety in the United States. P. pyrifolia cultivars are divided into two groups; russet pears have yellowish-brown rinds while green pears have yellowish-green rinds. Russet Japanese pears are more fire blight resistant than the smooth yellow or green Chinese pears The Niijisseiki pear is a green pear. Niijisseiki pear does well in well-drained, moist soil, in full sun or partial shade, although full sun is preferred. The fruit, once picked, can be kept for up to 5 months. It is cold hardy, drought tolerant and heat tolerant. At least two cultivars are needed to ensure an adequate pollination. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to Fire Blight and Codling Moth. The flowers are susceptible to frost. More information on Pyrus pyrifolia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheChionanthus retususPyrus pyrifolia 'Chojuro'Pyrus pyrifolia 'Niitaka'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Edible; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Multi-trunked; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are long, bright green and glossy. Pointed at the end.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The five petaled white flowers bloom in April in clusters, with red to purple stamens.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
> 3 inches long, > 3 inches wide
Fruit detail
The medium to large sized, round fruit has a smooth yellow skin with some lenticels. The flesh is white with a clean, crisp, juicy, sweet flavor. Ripens in mid-August.
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Attracts birds and bees.
Attracts
Bees; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Pome
Edibility
This medium to large sized fruit has yellow skin with crisp, juicy white flesh. It is sweet and mild, a little coarse in texture. Great for eating fresh or cooked. It can be stored for five months. Ripens in late August.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Edible Garden; Pollinator Garden
Design feature
Accent; Flowering Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#deciduous #flowering tree #partial shade tolerant #edible fruits #Asian garden #specimen #fragrant fruits #full sun tolerant #fragrant flowers #white flowers