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Chinese Quince Pseudocydonia sinensis

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Chaenomeles sinensis
  • Cydonia sinensis
Phonetic Spelling
soo-doh-sigh-DOH-nee-uh sih-NEN-sis
Description

Chinese quince is a medium size, flowering, deciduous tree or shrub in the rose family and is native to China. At maturity, it will typically reach 20 feet with a 15 foot spread. The plant leafs out early and displays pink blossoms in early spring. The bark of the tree flakes off to reveal a patchwork of gray, green, orange, brown. The genus name comes from pseudo meaning false and cydonia the genus name of common quince. The species name is from the Latin, sinensis meaning Chinese.

Chinese quince is easy to grow in average, moist, well-drained soil in full sun. The plant will tolerate poor soils and some drought, but prefers fertile, well-drained loams with even moisture. When grown at the northern end of its range, it is best to site it in a location protected from winter winds and temperatures.

Chinese quince will cast light shade and is easy to transplant. It is a long-lived tree and tolerates pruning. Keep in mind that flowering occurs on old growth with pruning.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

Fireblight can be a problem.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#pink flowers#red leaves#yellow leaves#flowering tree#children's garden#playground plant#edible fruits#fall color yellow#fall color red
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#pink flowers#red leaves#yellow leaves#flowering tree#children's garden#playground plant#edible fruits#fall color yellow#fall color red
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pseudocydonia
    Species:
    sinensis
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The most common use of the edible fruit is in jam.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and Southern China
    Distribution:
    California, Korea, Japan
    Play Value:
    Edible fruit
    Fragrance
    Edibility:
    Fruit is edible.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Oval
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Pome
    Fruit Width:
    > 3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is fragrant, from 4-6 inches long with citron yellow fruit. The huge, oval fruits ripen in fall with a sweetly fragrant aroma.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Size:
    > 6 inches
    Flower Description:
    This plant has soft pink flowers with a white base in April and May that are very fragrant, 5 to 7 inches, and cup shaped.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Green 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 inch alternate, simple leaves turn yellow to red in the fall. Elliptic to ovate, shiny, with finely serrated margins.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Green
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Bark Description:
    Flaky, sycamore-like bark exfoliates into an attractive patchwork of gray, green and brown on the fluted mature trunks of this tree.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stem has upright dense branching.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought