Flowering Quince
Chaenomeles Japonica ( syn. Chaenomeles speciosa) is the flowering or japanese quince. Brilliant red to pink flowers in late winter followed by fruit often used to make the well known ‘Quince Jelly’. Often seen as an old fashioned plant they probably deserve a little more attention.
These are the great survivors, easy to grow and they take very little care. The flowering quince makes a great flowering plant in spring when the flowers appear on bare branches.
They also form a dense clump, and they can be used as a hedging plant, they are thorny so they do make a good barrier.
These are a suckering clump forming plant that form a dense thicket, excellent as a flowering hedge. And the white flowering one is known as Chaenomeles speciosa. Most will reach around 2.5 – 3m in height.
Commonly called the Japanese Quince, this is a plant that has had a few name changes, originally called Pyrus japonica, then Cydonia japonica and now, correctly known as Chaenomeles speciosa
How To Grow the Flowering Quince – Basic Care
Chaenomeles are deciduous, prefer a well drained humus rich soil and can be espaliered.
These are a clumping plant that over time will reach 2 – 3 m in height and form a clump 1m across. Flowers are slightly fragrant and open to a saucer shape. Frost hardy, drought and cold tolerant Chaenomeles speciosa can be used as a clumping feature plant, pruned to a hedge or even trained a standard if you have the patience. Its dense growth habit makes it a good screen or barrier plant.
Pruning
Pruning is best carried out in spring after flowering.
- Remove any dead wood and problem growth.
- Larger, older growth can also be removed to promote new growth. Older clumps can be rejuvenated by cutting back 1/4 of old growth each year.
- We suggest removing some growth each year to prevent the clump becoming to dense which can inhibit flowering.
Propagation Flowering Quice
Easily grown from cuttings.
Summary Information
- Botanical Name – Chaenemeles speciosa and Chaenemeles japonica
- Common Names – Flowering Quince
- Position – Best in full sun to part shade.
- Soil – Humus rich, moist and well drained.
- Height – Variable, however to around 2 metres in height, easily pruned
- Spread – Will spread by suckers to around 1 metres easily pruned.
- Growth Rate – Medium .
- Foliage – Deep green
- Flowers – Red, white or pink depending on cultivar
- Flowering Time – Spring.
- Frost tolerant – Yes
Flowering Quince Varieties
As with so many plants it is the cultivars that are sought after, and a few varieties are standouts.
- C. speciosa ‘Winter Cheer’ -Brilliant red flowers.
- C.speciosa ‘Falconnet Charlet’ – This is a pink flowering variety, pale pink and very pretty flowers.
- C.speciosa ‘Nivillis’ – A cultivar with white flowers.
- Fruiting Quince Varieties and Information
You can buy Flowering Quince Plants Online from the following participating nurseries
862 Midland Highway Mount Rowan Vic 3352
We offer over 245 varieties of Fuchsia, tubestock, pots, baskets and standards. Mail order specialists. Open 7 days by appointment.
www.brenlissaonlinenursery.com.au
Carey Gully, Adelaide Hills.
Family business selling a large range of deciduous trees in pots 1-4m high. Crepe myrtle specialist. Includes Ornamental pears & plums, Red maples, Japanese maples, Gingko, Cercis, Ash, Birch, Crab apples, Weeping cherries, Gleditsia, Liquidambar and more. Hedging plants, evergreen trees & fruit trees.
www.adelaidetreefarm.com.au