Japanese flowering quince (Chaenomeles japonica)
The Japanese flowering quince (Chaenomeles japonica) is a small shrub well known for its flowers and small fruits. It is a very decorative plant.
Relative of the most common quince tree that is known for its great fruits, this quince tree has fruits that resemble the “normal” quinces but on a smaller scale. However, their flowers are extremely beautiful.
Plant profile
Common name: Japanese flowering quinceScientific name: Chaenomeles japonica, Chaenomeles japonica
Plant type: Shrubs
Habit: Bushy, Suckering
Height: 50cm - 1.5m
Spread: 50cm - 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Foliage color: Green (spring), Green (summer), Yellow (autumn)
Flower color: Red
Fruit color: Yellow
Season of interest: Summer
Sunlight: Full Sun
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: Informal Garden, Japanese Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Wall-side Borders
Other characteristics: Flowers for pollinators
Originating from China, Japan and Korea they are fully hardy and need no special protection.
How to plant
Its growth is very vigorous, although it is a shrub that reaches only 1m in height. New branches arise easily from the base of the Japanese quince tree that spreads mainly horizontally. The red (or orange) flowers are born in the wood of the previous year and appear grouped in the late winter and early spring when the first leaves begin to appear in the branches, presenting a beautiful composition. They are often the first plants to “wake up” in the winter giving a special color to the garden when the other plants are still “sleeping”. Throughout the growing season, the beautiful flowers give way to small yellow fruits.
The Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) prefers total exposure to the sun and a dry environment. Likes light soils that drain well.
Propagation
Spreads easily by cuttings or division.
Maintaining an even temperature and humidity are crucial for propagating flowering quince via stem cuttings. Temperature also plays a big part in growing this plant from seeds. Once flowering quince is established, though, the plant is quite forgiving of a wide range of temperature and humidity levels. This shrub is quite cold hardy, tolerating temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees F. Feed flowering quince with a slow-release, all-purpose fertilizer in early spring before new growth occurs, or apply compost as a soil amendment. Scatter the fertilizer carefully on the soil around the plant; do not let it touch the foliage, as it can scorch the leaves. Follow with a deep watering to distribute the fertilizer around the roots.