How to Grow and Care for Flowering quinces

Japanese flowering quince is an easy-care plant that is known for its beautiful spring blooms and apple-shaped fruit. It grows to a small shrub and is also popular as a bonsai plant. When left raw the fruit of the quince is very tart and often too hard to eat, but it can be cooked and used for jams and jellies.

Flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) is a deciduous shrub that’s native to China. Its edible fruit appears in autumn and is often used in jams and jellies. The plant can also be used as a privacy hedge that will attract hummingbirds in droves.

Cathay quince is characterized by its spreading, thorny branches, and stunning white to pink blossom clusters. A deciduous shrub native to China's temperate regions, it boasts glossy, apple-green foliage which becomes a vibrant backdrop for its bold, scarlet fruit. These pome fruits persist into winter, offering sustenance to local wildlife against the stark, leafless silhouette of its woody frame.

Japanese flowering quince 'Cameo' is distinct for its double peach-colored flowers and compact size. A cultivar of Chaenomeles x superba, its name derives from the carved gems of the same name, drawing a connection with its small, bright flowers. Its fruits are edible but not as tasty as the fruit of its cousin, Cydonia oblonga.

Flowering quince 'Falconnet Charlet' is a delightful sight when in full bloom. It offers masses of dainty, double, salmon-pink flowers on tangled branches. Flowers bloom from for up to 6 weeks in spring. It is a cultivar of Chaenomeles speciosa. This cultivar is tolerant of clay soil and is drought-resistant.