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Pseudocydonia sinensis

Chinese quince

A spreading shrub up to 6m high or (in areas with long hot summers) a tree up to 18m, with flaking bark which is mottled olive green, brown and grey; oval, finely toothed, glossy dark green leaves, 5-10cm long, which are usually deciduous but may be semi-evergreen, are tinged red in spring, and turn yellow, orange and red and before falling; and cup-shaped, fragrant pink flowers, 3-4cm across, in spring, followed after hot summers by edible, aromatic, egg-shaped fruit, 5-18cm long, which start out green and become yellow when ripe in autumn

Synonyms
Chaenomeles sinensis
Cydonia sinensis
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
4–8 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Green Red
Summer Green Green
Autumn Yellow Orange Red Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a sunny sheltered position, such as by a south-facing or southwest-facing wall, in fertile, moist but well-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers outdoors in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 1 or pruning group 13 if grown on a wall, after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to quince leaf blight, brown rot, fireblight, powdery mildews and honey fungus

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