Alphabetical Plant Listing

Flowering Quinces (Chaenomeles)

Japanese Quince, Flowering Quince, Chaenomeles speciosa, Chaenomeles x superba, Early Spring Flowers (Chaenomeles)


Among the first shrubs to bloom in late winter to early spring, Flowering Quinces (Chaenomeles) are deciduous shrubs that are welcomed additions to the winter garden. They boast abundant clusters of charming, apple-blossom-shaped flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm), in cheerful shades of delicate pink, rich vermilion, coral red, and pure white. They create a brilliant floral display at a time when there is little to be excited about in the garden. Borne on thorny, tangled branches, the flowers bloom for many weeks and usually appear before the glossy, ovate, green leaves. They give way to small, fragrant, apple-like, greenish-yellow fruits, 2 in. across (5 cm), which ripen in early fall. Edible, they are considered too bitter to be eaten directly from the shrub, but they may be used for preserves and jellies.

The Flowering Quinces grown in our gardens are cultivated forms of Chaenomeles speciosa, Chaenomeles japonica, and hybrids of these two varieties, Chaenomeles x superba.

  • Chaenomeles speciosa is native to China and grows into a tall, spreading shrub, 6-10 ft. high and wide (130-300 cm). Hardy to USDA Zones 4-8, it is an ideal plant for a wall shrub
  • Chaenomeles japonica is native to Japan and grows into a shorter but spreading, thorny shrub, 2-3 ft. high (60-90 cm) and 3-6 ft. wide (90-180 cm). Hardy to USDA Zones 5-9, it is perfect for informal hedges
  • Chaenomeles x superba cultivars grow in dense, broad, rounded shrubs, about 3-4 ft. high (90-120 cm) and 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 cm). Hardy to USDA Zones 5-9, it is quite versatile and great for mixed shrub borders or flowering hedges.

Guide Information

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Chaenomeles - Flowering Quinces
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring
Winter
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

c11yg / 123RF Stock Photo

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Chaenomeles - Flowering Quinces
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring
Winter
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Landscaping Ideas Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Wall-Side Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
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