Helping You Become a More Successful Gardener
Plant Search
James H. Schutte
Rosaceae
CHAENOMELES x superba
Hybrid Flowering Quince
Hybrid flowering quince is a spiny, medium-sized, deciduous shrub known for its large spring flowers that come in an array of colors. Many favor this ornamental quince because it combines the most desirable features of its parent species, common flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) and Japanese flowering quince (C. japonica). Its pretty spring blooms come in an array of colors and broad, spreading form and spiny branches make it useful for hedges or screening.
Clusters of bowl-shaped flowers cover this quince in early spring both before and after the glossy leaves emerge. Blossoms may be single or semi-double and come in shades of white, pink, salmon, orange or red. The simple leaves emerge slightly bronze in spring and turn dark green as the season progresses. Edible, yellow-green, apple-shaped fruits ripen in the fall and may be made into preserves or jelly. Birds also enjoy the fruits.
The tough and adaptable hybrid flowering quince accepts a wide range of growing conditions but grows best in full sun and well-drained, acid to neutral loam. Periods of winter cold are needed for good flowering and fruit set. Spring buds are often damaged by cold in its northernmost zones.
This fine landscape shrub combines well with other early-bloomers, such as forsythias. There are many appealing cultivars to choose from including the thornless 'Pink Lady and 'Cameo' and the red-flowered, 'Hollandia', which blooms in both spring and fall. The winter branches of all can be brought indoors and forced into bloom.
9 - 5
5 - 9
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Shrub
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m
5'-6' / 1.5m - 1.8m
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer
Hybrid Origin
Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Clay, Loam, Sand
Medium
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Oval/Rounded
Spring, Summer
Showy
White, Red, Orange, Pink, Coral
Green
Green, Bronze
Green, Dark Green
Brown
Yes
No
Single
Glossy
Smooth
Cutflower, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
Birds
© 2006-2021 Preferred Commerce. All Rights Reserved.