Chaenomeles japonica var. alpina
alpine Japanese quince
A low-growing, spreading, deciduous shrub about 30cm tall and 1m wide with thorny interlaced stems and tiny dark green, glossy leaves. Red-orange, cup-shaped flowers open in mid-spring, on bare branches. Aromatic, rounded, yellow-green fruit appears in autumn and often persists into winter. These can be used to make jams and jellies but please see notes on toxicity for further advice
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Orange Red | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Green | Yellow | ||
Winter | Yellow |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Matforming, 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
- Japan
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
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Banks and slopes
- Flower borders and beds
- Ground cover
- Garden edging
- Edible fruit
Pruning
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)
Get involved
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