Twentieth Century Asian Pear Pyrus pyrifolia 'Nijisseiki'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PY-russ py-rih-FOH-lee-uh
- Description
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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.
- 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:
- pyrifolia
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds and bees.
- 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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Multi-trunked
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- 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 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:
- Gold/Yellow
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- 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.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The five petaled white flowers bloom in April in clusters, with red to purple stamens.
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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:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are long, bright green and glossy. Pointed at the end.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Urban Conditions
- Problems:
- Messy
