Chaenomeles speciosa 'Scarlet Storm' Double Take® Scarlet

Scarlet Storm is a medium-sized, upright to rounded, multi-stemmed shrub with a mature height of approximately 4-5 feet. It will bloom best in full sun though will tolerate some partial shade.  It is an excellent spring accent plant and one of the only early spring red blooms with eye-popping color that can be spotted from a mile away. Large, scarlet red, double flowers with velvety petals burst forth in early spring. This hybrid is fruitless and thornless. Unlike many flowering quinces, ‘Scarlet Storm’ tends to have flowers out to the tips of its branches. Branches with unopened flower buds can be clipped and forced to bloom for some showy indoor color. Double Take quinces often rebloom in fall for some surprising color late in the season.

Prune as needed to remove dead or broken branches and improve shape in the spring after flowering.  This will stimulate growth to improve blooming for the following year. Keep in mind that flowers appear on old growth. Promptly remove any root suckers to control unwanted spread. Scarlet Storm withstands a range of soil types including heavy clay but prefers well-drained loams. Established plants will tolerate dry soils. It does well in high erosion areas like slopes. Flower buds are susceptible to damage from early spring frosts so a protected site is ideal. In warmer areas, some afternoon shade will help flowers last longer.

Insects and Diseases: Maybe susceptible to fungal leaf spot with heavy spring rainfall. Fireblight and scab may be problematic in some areas, also aphids, scale and mites. Chlorosis (yellowing of foliage) will occur in high pH soils.