Chaenomeles cathayensis
Chinese flowering quince
A vigorous, upright deciduous shrub or small tree about 3m tall, with spiny stems and lance-shaped mid-green leaves to 12cm long. Small clusters of pink-flushed white flowers, 4cm across, appear in early and mid-spring, followed by large, aromatic yellow-green fruit up to 15cm long. These can be used to make jams and jellies but please see notes on toxicity for further advice
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | Green Yellow | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- Potentially harmful
- Seeds contain toxins so these should be removed if you are considering eating the fruit, usually grown as an ornamental shrub. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Chaenomeles are deciduous, usually spiny shrubs with simple leaves and cup-shaped, 5-petalled flowers, solitary or clustered, in spring, followed by edible often fragrant green or yellow fruits
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- China, Tibet
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun or part shade in well-drained soil, lime tolerant but may become chlorotic on very alkaline soils
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer or layering in autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Climber and wall shrubs
- Hedging and screens
- Wall side borders
- Edible fruit
Pruning
Pruning group 2, or pruning group 13 if wall-trained
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects, brown scale and aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to fireblight, blossom wilt, brown rot and honey fungus (rarely)
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