Chaenomeles - Flowering Quinces

Chaenomeles 'Toyo Nishiki' (Japanese Quince) is a medium-sized deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of reddish, pink and white blooms, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm). Borne on thorny, tangled, leafless branches, they bloom in profusion for weeks in early spring and give way to small, fragrant, greenish yellow fruits, 2 in. across (5 cm), which ripen in early fall.

Chaenomeles japonica (Japanese Quince) is a low-growing, deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of bright orange-scarlet flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm), adorned with creamy white stamens. Borne on thorny, tangled, leafless branches, they bloom in profusion for a few weeks in late winter/early spring, creating a brilliant floral display at a time when there is little to be excited about in the garden. The flowers give way to small, fragrant, 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.

Chaenomeles speciosa 'Kinshiden' (Japanese Quince) is a spreading, deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of double, pale lemony-white flowers. Borne on thorny, tangled branches, they bloom in profusion for 4-6 weeks in early spring and give way to small, aromatic, greenish yellow fruits, 2 in. across (5 cm), which ripen in early fall.

Chaenomeles speciosa 'Moerloosei' (Japanese Quince) is a spreading medium-sized deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of apple blossom pink and white blooms, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm). Borne on thorny, tangled branches before the glossy, dark green leaves appear, they bloom in profusion for a few weeks in early spring and give way to small, fragrant, apple-shaped, greenish yellow fruits, 2 in. across (5 cm), which ripen in early fall. This shrub has a strong, upright habit and is a good choice for wall-training.

Highly desirable, Chaenomeles speciosa 'Nivalis' (Japanese Quince) is a spreading, deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of pure white flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm). Borne on thorny, tangled branches, they bloom in profusion for a few weeks in early spring and give way to small, fragrant, greenish yellow fruits, 2 in. across (5 cm), which ripen in early fall. This ornamental quince is one of the earliest to flower.

Noted for its compact shape, Chaenomeles x superba 'Cameo' (Japanese Quince) is a deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of semidouble coral pink flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm). Borne on thorny, tangled branches, they bloom in profusion for weeks in mid spring, slightly later than most Flowering Quinces. The flowers make a particularly effective contrast to the fresh green of the new leaves and give way to small, fragrant, greenish yellow fruits, 2 in. across (5 cm), which ripen in early fall.

Chaenomeles x superba 'Coral Sea' (Japanese Quince) is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of coral flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm). Borne on thorny, tangled branches, they bloom in profusion for a few weeks in early spring, creating a brilliant floral display at a time when there is little to be excited about in the garden. The flowers give way to small, fragrant, 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.

A very compact and fast growing hybrid flowering quince, Chaenomeles x superba 'Crimson and Gold' is a small, spreading, deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of deep crimson flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm), adorned with prominent golden anthers. Borne on thorny, tangled branches, they bloom in profusion for a few weeks in early spring, creating a brilliant floral display at a time when there is little to be excited about in the garden. The simple, glossy, obovate leaves emerge slightly bronze in spring before changing to dark green as they mature. The flowers give way to small, fragrant, 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.

Chaenomeles x superba 'Nicoline' (Japanese Quince) is a small deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of bright scarlet flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm). Borne on thorny, tangled branches, they bloom in profusion for a few weeks in early spring, just as the glossy green foliage emerges, creating a brilliant floral display at a time when there is little to be excited about in the garden. The flowers give way to small, fragrant, 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.

Chaenomeles x superba 'Pink Lady' (Japanese Quince) is a small deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of rich pink flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm), opening from darker buds. Borne on thorny, tangled leafless branches, they bloom in profusion for weeks in early spring, creating a brilliant floral display at a time when there is little to be excited about in the garden. They are followed by glossy, oval, mid-green leaves and give way to small, fragrant, 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.

A very compact hybrid flowering quince, Chaenomeles x superba 'Texas Scarlet' is a small, spreading, deciduous shrub with abundant clusters of fiery red flowers, up to 1.5 in. across (3-4 cm), adorned with prominent golden anthers. Borne on thorny, tangled leafless branches, they bloom in profusion for weeks in early spring, before the simple, glossy, green leaves emerge. The flowers give way to small, fragrant, greenish yellow fruits, 2 in. across (5 cm), which ripen in early fall.