Pyrus Pyrifolia ‘Nijisseiki’ (Asian Pear)

The Pyrus Pyrifolia Nijisseiki plant or ’20th Century’ Asian Pear is a dessert variety that’s quite popular in the United States. It’s known for its fragrant, creamy white flowers that bloom in mid-spring.

These flowers are a beautiful sight as they hang in clusters from the branches. By late summer or early fall, these flowers give way to a large number of medium-sized, round pears with smooth yellow skin and crisp, mildly sweet white flesh.

This variety of pear is self-pollinating, but it can also be pollinated by another variety that blooms at the same time, like Bartlett or Shinseiki. The leaves of the tree emerge in a coppery-bronze color in spring, and turn a brilliant red-orange in the fall.

The tree is cold hardy, drought tolerant, and heat tolerant, making it a good choice for milder climates. It requires 300-400 hours of temperatures below 45ºF (7ºC) in the winter for the buds to open in the spring.

The tree can grow up to 10-15 ft. tall and 10-12 ft. wide, although the mature size can vary depending on the rootstock. It loves full sun and grows well in deep, fertile, moist, well-drained soils. It prefers a sheltered, frost-free position.

To get the best crop, the pears should be pruned every year. They also need to be thinned to about 5 in. apart in late spring or early summer for the best-quality fruit. Be on the lookout for common pests like aphids, caterpillars, codling moth, pear blister mite, pear midge and pear, cherry slugworm, and diseases like pear scab, pear rust, brown rot, blossom wilt, and fireblight.

With its beautiful blooms, leaves, sweat pears, attractive fall colors, and picturesque winter appearance, pear trees are a rewarding addition to any garden.

‘Nijisseiki’ Asian Pear Benefits

• Asian Pears are great source of fiber that helps with digestion and keeps you feeling full for a longer time, which can help in managing your weight.
• These pears are filled with Vitamin C, a substance that boosts our body’s defense system and shields us from infections and illnesses.
• The high amount of fiber in Asian Pears helps keep your heart healthy by lowering the levels of LDL, also known as the “bad” cholesterol.
• The fiber in these pears also assists your body in controlling blood sugar levels more effectively, which is particularly beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.
• Substances like vitamin C, known as antioxidants, in Asian Pears can help reduce your risk of getting certain kinds of cancer.
• Asian pears are a good source of folate, or folic acid. Folate is important for making DNA and building new cells, making it especially important for pregnant people.