About
Pyrus pashia, the wild Himalayan pear, is a medium-sized, rounded, deciduous tree with long-stalked, oval, dark-green leaves often woolly when young, and turning red-brown in autumn. Tight clusters of white flowers with dark-red anthers appear in mid-spring, followed by small, rounded, edible, speckled, brown fruits. A multi-season ornamental tree for a sunny, well-drained garden.
About the genus
Pyrus, the pears, are deciduous trees or shrubs with oval to lance-shaped leaves and clusters of white or pink, five-petalled flowers in spring, followed by green or brown, often edible, pear-shaped to spherical fruits. Popular ornamental and fruiting trees.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toHimalaya, W China
Care notes
CultivationNeeds a deep, fertile, moist but well-drained, fairly neutral soil in a sheltered, sunny position. Will not thrive on very acid soils, shallow chalk soils or with shade for more than half the day. See Pears or pear cultivation for further advice
PruningPruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by seed in autumn, or by grafting or chip budding
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, codling moth and pear blister mite, pear midge and pear and cherry slugworm
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to blossom wilt, brown rot, fireblight, pear scab, European pear rust and honey fungus (rarely)