Chaenomeles japonica
Japanese flowering quince
Common names: Japanese ornamental quince, Japanese ornamental pear
Photo: H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Chaenomeles japonica is a deciduous, thorny shrub that blooms early in the garden. Its bright orange‑to salmon‑colored flowers appear from late March to early April, often before leaf emergence. Though it resembles the true quince (Cydonia oblonga), it is not closely related. The plant produces small yellow‑green fruits in autumn that are edible but very tart and hard when raw; they are best used processed into jelly, juice, or liqueur. Its dense, thorny growth makes it popular as a flowering hedge or ground cover in small gardens.
Care instructions
Plant in full sun to partial shade on well‑drained, not overly dry soil; it tolerates most garden soils. Prune immediately after flowering in late spring to keep the shrub compact and encourage next year’s blooms, as buds form on last year’s wood. Water regularly during the first one to two years, then it is fairly drought‑tolerant and winter hardy without protection. Harvest fruits from September onward when they are yellow and fragrant, preferably after the first light frosts for added sweetness.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, lean, lime-avoiding, dry
Feeding
Light feeder
Pruning
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