Pyrus communis 'Kosui'
Common Name(s):
- Description
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‘Kosui’ is a hybrid Asian pear in the rose family (Rosaceae). The pear was cultivated in Japan and released in 1959. It is a cross between 'Kikusui' and 'Wasekozo'. Kosui means 'good water' in Japanese.
The tree can be found grafted to dwarf and semi-dwarf root stock, keeping the height 10 to 12 feet tall rather than 15 to 20 feet tall on standard root stock. It requires 400 to 450 chill hours and another Asian pear variety for pollination. It has good fire blight resistance. Here is an NC State guide to caring for fruit trees, including pruning and dealing with insects and diseases.
'Kosui’ blooms in April with clusters of white flowers. The fruit has russet skin and creamy white, sweet and crisp flesh. They mature in late summer to early fall.
The tree is a good choice for areas with warmer winter temperatures due to the low chill hours required.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to anthracnose, canker, scab and powdery mildew. Insect visitors include pear psylla, coddling moth and borers.
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Pyrus
- Species:
- communis
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinators are attracted to the flowers. Birds and mammals will eat the fruit.
- Edibility:
- The fruit is good and edible
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit has russet skin and creamy white, sweet and crisp flesh that matures in late summer to early fall.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- White flowers with all parts in fives in clusters in the spring.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 1-4 inch long green, oval, alternate leaves with serrated edges. Red fall color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Lenticels
- Bark Description:
- The bark is smooth and gray with lenticels becoming blocky or furrowed with age.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in more than 2 scales
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- Young twigs are glossy reddish-brown, often developing a scaly, grey-brown, and slightly furrowed bark as they mature. i produces numerous dwarf shoots on older wood, needed for fruiting.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
- Frequent Insect Problems
