Flowering Quince Information

Size

• The parent species of flowering quince grows between 6 and 10 feet, as does the Toyo-Nishiki hybrid form. However, other cultivars of the flowering quince are about half this size. Among them are Cameo, Pink Storm, Texas Scarlet and Scarlet Storm. They grow from 3 to 4 feet tall. An even smaller type is the Low'n White hybrid, which sometimes tops out at just 2 feet high.

Features

• Composed of many stems that produce a tangled jumble of twigs and branches, the flowering quince comes armed with spines. The leaves are shiny and dark green, providing little fall color since they remain green before falling off the bush. The flowers, which bloom before the foliage emerges in March or April, come in different colors depending upon the hybrid. The fruit is bitter and best used in preserves. It is similar in shape to an apple and once ripe, is appropriate for making preserves and jellies.

Uses

• Landscapers commonly employ flowering quince in some of the sites that have a difficult time supporting other species, since the plant really only has great appeal when flowering in the spring. It is a useful bush for group plantings, shrub borders and as a hedge. Take advantage of its spines and create barriers with the flowering quince to protect your property. Check the cultivar to learn if it produces fruit or lacks thorns. Some, such as Scarlet Strom, lack the spines and are non-fruiting cultivars.

Growing Conditions

• Native to China, the flowering quince grows in North America as an ornamental in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. The shrub requires full sun to produce abundant flowers, but does grow in partial shade. While able to develop in most soils, the bush grows best in a well-draining loam. Flowering quince withstands dry conditions once the plant takes hold. Light pruning after the shrub flowers helps precipitate the growth of new flowering spurs, which increases the number of flowers for the next spring, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden.