Family: Rosaceae
Common Name: Flowering Quince

Native to China and Japan, these hardy, deciduous, spreading shrubs are rather spiky. They make attractive ornamentals, particularly in winter and spring when the bare branches are covered with an abundance of flowers in shades from red through to white, and are also useful as a decorative, informal hedge.

Species

C. japonica, Japanese quince, produces profuse orange-red flowers, followed by small fruit which is made into jelly and is delicious served with ricotta cheese. It grows to 1 m (3 ft), sometimes more.

C. speciosa, from China, is grown more for its beautiful, bright scarlet blooms which make excellent cut flowers than for its fruit, though this too can be made into jelly. This species has produced many cultivars including 'Alba', with single, white flowers tinged with pink; 'Cardinalis', which has single or semi-double, bright red flowers; 'Moerloosei', with single, white flowers striped in rose-pink; 'Nivalis', with single, pure white flowers suitable for cutting; 'Rosea Plena', with semi-double, pink flowers; 'Rubra Grandiflora', with large, single, deep crimson flowers; and 'Simonii', which has a spreading growth habit and large, double, rich crimson flowers.

C. x superba, a hybrid of C. japonica and C. speciosa, is a spiny, branching type which grows 1.2-1.5 m (4-5 ft) and produces white, pink, orange or red flowers. It has many cultivars but the best known is 'Crimson and Gold' whose large, deep red flowers have a cluster of deep yellow anthers in the center.

Cultivation

These quinces prefer cooler areas but they can be grown in fairly warm districts. Plant in any fairly well-drained soil in a sunny position. Once established, these shrubs will tolerate dryness and wind. Very old stems can be cut out at the base. Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings in summer or by layering in spring.

Climate

Zone 5.