Shinko Asian Pear

Pyrus pyrifolia 'Shinko'

Nature Hills Nursery

Hardy in zones 5-9, tolerates cold winters down to minus 25 degrees F with reliable fruit production
Large golden-bronze pears with crisp, juicy flesh combine apple crunch with sweet pear flavor, ready for harvest in late September
Highly resistant to fire blight, making it one of the most reliable Asian pear varieties for home gardeners
Stores exceptionally well for 4-5 months in cold storage, extending your harvest season well into winter

$83⁹²

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Plant Size

#3 Container | 3-4 ft

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant in full sun with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering and fruit production. Trees grown in partial shade will produce fewer blooms and lighter crops.

Soil: Thrives in well-drained soil of almost any type, from sandy loam to clay, as long as water doesn't stand after heavy rain. For heavy clay soils, work in coarse sand or compost at planting time to improve drainage. Asian pears are not particular about pH but perform best in soil between 6.0 and 7.0.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply at planting time and keep soil consistently moist throughout the first growing season while the root system establishes. Once established after the first year, water deeply whenever rainfall is less than an inch per week during the growing season. Asian pears need regular moisture during fruit development from spring through harvest for best quality fruit. Inconsistent watering can cause fruit drop or smaller pears.

Pruning Tips

Prune annually in late winter or early spring before new growth appears to maintain an open, vase-shaped canopy that allows sunlight to reach developing fruit. Thin the canopy to improve air circulation, which helps prevent disease. Remove crossing branches, dead wood, and water sprouts throughout the growing season. Thin young fruit when they're about the size of a dime to one pear per cluster, which produces larger fruit and prevents branch breakage from heavy crops.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed in early spring before bloom with a balanced fertilizer formulated for fruit trees or apply 10-10-10 fertilizer according to package directions based on tree size. A second light feeding after fruit set in late spring supports fruit development. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of fruit production and can make trees more susceptible to fire blight.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Shinko Asian Pear (Pyrus pyrifolia 'Shinko') brings an irresistible combination of crisp apple texture and sweet pear flavor straight from your backyard. Developed in Japan in the 1940s, this brown-skinned beauty produces large, round fruits with attractive golden-bronze russeted skin and firm white flesh that's remarkably sweet and juicy. Unlike European pears that ripen off the tree, Shinko pears ripen on the branch and are ready to eat at harvest, delivering instant gratification when you bite into that satisfying crunch.

Year-Round Beauty and Performance

Spring transforms your Shinko Asian Pear into a stunning display of fragrant white blooms that appear in profuse clusters along every branch in early April. The flowers not only smell wonderful but attract pollinators by the dozens, making this tree a valuable addition for supporting beneficial insects. The glossy green leaves emerge with a coppery-bronze tint in spring before maturing to a rich dark green that provides handsome foliage through summer. Come fall, the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red, creating a striking autumn display before leaf drop reveals the tree's attractive branching structure for winter interest.

Exceptional Fruit for Fresh Eating and Storage

What sets Shinko apart from other Asian pear varieties is its late ripening time in late September, extending your harvest season when most summer fruits are finished. The large pears have that distinctive crisp bite that Asian pears are famous for, with very juicy flesh and a sweetness that balances perfectly with subtle pear aromatics. The golden-brown russeted skin is not only beautiful but indicates the rich, complex flavor inside. These pears are spectacular eaten fresh, sliced into salads for textural contrast, paired with cheese, or used in baking where their firm texture holds up beautifully.

The real magic of Shinko happens after harvest. While most Asian pears store for 2 to 3 months, Shinko pears keep for an impressive 4 to 5 months in cold storage at 32 degrees F, meaning you can enjoy homegrown fruit well into winter. This extended storage life made Shinko a favorite among commercial growers in Japan and home gardeners worldwide who appreciate having fresh fruit long after the growing season ends.

A Reliable Choice for Home Orchards

Shinko Asian Pear earned its reputation as one of the most dependable varieties for home growers thanks to its excellent resistance to fire blight, the bacterial disease that devastates many pear and apple trees. This disease resistance means less worry, fewer sprays, and more successful harvests year after year. The tree grows with an upright, spreading habit reaching 12 to 20 feet tall depending on rootstock, making it manageable for home landscapes while still producing abundant crops of 50 or more pounds of fruit annually once mature.

Like most Asian pears, Shinko benefits from cross-pollination with another Asian pear variety or an early-blooming European pear like Bartlett or Anjou planted nearby for heavier fruit set. The tree begins bearing fruit just 1 to 2 years after planting, rewarding your patience quickly compared to many fruit trees. With moderate water needs once established, good heat tolerance, and cold hardiness down to zone 5, Shinko adapts to a wide range of growing conditions across much of the country.

Why Shinko Belongs in Your Garden

If you've only tasted grocery store Asian pears, you haven't experienced what these fruits can truly offer. Shinko picked at perfect ripeness from your own tree delivers a level of sweetness, juice, and flavor that simply doesn't survive commercial shipping. The combination of beautiful spring flowers, attractive fall color, exceptional fruit quality, and impressive storage ability makes Shinko Asian Pear a hardworking addition to any edible landscape. Whether you're building a home orchard or adding one special fruit tree to your yard, Shinko delivers ornamental appeal and delicious harvests for decades to come.

Botanical Name

Pyrus pyrifolia 'Shinko'
Class
- Magnoliopsida
Species

pyrifolia
Cultivar

Shinko
Growing Zones

5-8
Height

12-20 ft
Width

12-15 ft
Sunlight
- Full sun
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- White
Leaf Color
- Green
Fragrant

Yes
Bloom Period

Early Spring
Does Not Ship To

AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR

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Growing Zones 5-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA planting zones is the Shinko Asian Pear suitable for?

Shinko Asian Pear thrives in USDA zones 5-9, handling temperatures down to -20°F once established. This Japanese variety needs sufficient winter chill hours to produce its late September harvest. Plant in full sun with well-draining soil for best fruit production.

What is the hardiness level or cold tolerance of Shinko Asian Pear trees?

Shinko Asian Pear trees are hardy in USDA zones 5-9, tolerating winter temperatures down to -20°F. This cold tolerance makes them suitable for most temperate growing regions across the continental United States. Shop at Nature Hills for healthy, well-rooted trees that establish quickly in your climate zone.

What are the chilling hour requirements for Shinko Asian Pear?

Shinko Asian Pear requires 400-500 chill hours below 45°F to produce fruit properly. This moderate chill requirement makes it suitable for most temperate growing zones. Check your local average chill hours to ensure adequate winter cold for reliable flowering and fruiting.

What type of soil and drainage does the Shinko Asian Pear need?

Shinko Asian Pear thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Like most fruit trees, it cannot tolerate waterlogged conditions which lead to root rot. Plant in soil that drains within 24 hours after heavy rain for best results.

How much sunlight does a Shinko Asian Pear tree require daily?

Shinko Asian Pear trees need full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal fruit production and flowering. Adequate sunlight ensures those fragrant April blooms develop into the large, sweet pears this variety is known for. Plant in your sunniest location for best results.

When is the best time to prune Shinko Asian Pear trees, and how should it be done?

Prune Shinko Asian Pear trees during dormancy in late winter before buds break, typically February to early March. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches first, then thin crowded areas to improve air circulation. Focus on maintaining an open center structure and avoid heavy pruning since Asian pears fruit on spurs that develop over multiple years.

What pests commonly affect Shinko Asian Pear trees, like codling moths or stink bugs?

Asian pears face common threats from codling moths, aphids, scale insects, and stink bugs that damage fruit quality. Fire blight can also affect branches during wet spring weather. Monitor regularly during growing season and apply dormant oil in late winter to control overwintering pests.

What are the shipping options and costs for Shinko Asian Pear trees?

Shipping costs and options vary by tree size, location, and season. Most bare root and potted Asian pear trees ship via ground freight with costs calculated at checkout based on your zip code. Spring shipping typically offers the best selection and timing for establishment. Check the shipping calculator on the product page for exact costs to your area.