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Chaenomeles hybrids

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
kee-nah-MAH-leez HY-brids
Description

From the Greek word chainein, meaning to split and malea, translating to apple, for its apple-blossom shaped flowers. 

Flowering Quinces are deciduous shrubs in the rose family from Asia. They are one of the first shrubs to bloom in late winter to early spring. The showy flowers come in shades of pink, red and white and usually appear before the foliage. Blooming occurs on old growth so prune sparingly. Cutting off the oldest stems near the ground will encourage new shoot to develop, leading to a more dense appearance.  Depending on the species, they can grow anywhere from 2 to 6 feet tall. They may have thorns.

Quinces prefer full sun to partial shade in moist well-drained loams but are tolerant of a variety of soil types. Best blooming occurs in full sun. They are drought tolerant once established. Use as a specimen, in hedges, as a foundation plant or a shrub border. Deer will sometimes browse the shrub.

Its thorny stems make this plant a great choice as a border or security barrier to prevent intruders.  

Taking some cuttings in late winter and forcing to flower indoors will bring some color to the dreary winter months.  

Fruits are produced when both male and female plants are available.  The fruits are fragrant, said to have the scent of pineapples, lemons and vanilla.  They can be used for making preserves.  Juices from the fruits has been used as a lemon substitute.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Aphids are an issue, as well as fire blight and apple scab.

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Chaenomeles cathayensis
  • Chaenomeles japonica
    Low growing variety
  • Chaenomeles speciosa
    Showy variety up to 10' tall
  • 'Stanford Red'
    Drought tolerant
Chaenomeles cathayensis, Chaenomeles japonica, Chaenomeles speciosa, 'Stanford Red'
Tags:
#fragrant#thorns#deciduous#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#shrub#deciduous shrub#winter interest#rabbit resistant#security plant#flowering shrub#deer resistant#border planting#cutting garden#spring interest#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#winter garden#barrier#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Chaenomeles cathayensis
  • Chaenomeles japonica
    Low growing variety
  • Chaenomeles speciosa
    Showy variety up to 10' tall
  • 'Stanford Red'
    Drought tolerant
Chaenomeles cathayensis, Chaenomeles japonica, Chaenomeles speciosa, 'Stanford Red'
Tags:
#fragrant#thorns#deciduous#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#shrub#deciduous shrub#winter interest#rabbit resistant#security plant#flowering shrub#deer resistant#border planting#cutting garden#spring interest#clay soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#winter garden#barrier#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Chaenomeles
    Species:
    hybrids
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    A multipurpose shrub that can be used in beds, borders, as hedges and screening.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Grafting
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Asia, China and Japan
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees are attracted to the flowers
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Fragrance
    Screening
    Edibility:
    The fruits are bitter but can be used in preserves.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Thorns
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The 2 inch, hard, pear-shaped greenish-yellow fruits ripen in the early fall. The bitter tasting fruits are not typically eaten off the shrub, but are used in the preparation of preserves and jelly.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Orange-red, scarlet, white or red flowers in spring that can be solitary or in clusters, and single or double.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, simple, lustrous, dark green leaves; 1-2 in. long
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Description:
    The stems are a spreading, interlacing network of thorny stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Patio
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Security
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil