Cydonia oblonga 'Lusitanica' (F)
Portuguese quince
A small, rounded, deciduous tree, with solitary, pink and white flowers to 5cm wide. Large, pear-shaped, fragrant, deep yellow fruit follow in autumn. Both young foliage and fruit have a downy, silvery-grey coating
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Pink White | Grey Silver Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Green | Grey Silver Yellow | ||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
Cydonia are large deciduous shrubs with simple, ovate leaves and 5-petalled, bowl-shaped pink or white flowers, followed by pear-like fruits, edible when ripe
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a warm, sheltered spot as flowers are susceptible to frost and warm conditions are needed for the fruit to ripen well. Tolerant of a wide range of soils, but will do best where soil is deep and moisture retentive, so long as it is not prone to waterlogging. See quince cultivation
Propagation
Propagated from semi-ripe cuttings in summer, but it is often propagated by grafting onto a clonal rootstock for fruit. The rootstock will determine the size of the plant
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to caterpillars and aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to quince leaf blight, brown rot, fireblight, powdery mildews and honey fungus
Get involved
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