Chaenomeles × superba Pink Trail ('Interpitra')
Japanese quince [Pink Trail]
A compact, bushy, vigorous, suckering deciduous shrub to 75cm in height, with thorny branches and oval-shaped dark green leaves. Clusters of large, pale-pink flowers are produced in late winter to early spring on bare branches, followed by aromatic green fruits which ripen to yellow in summer. 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
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink | Green | Green | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Yellow | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Pink |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes 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
Trade
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
- Wildlife gardens
- City and courtyard gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Edible fruit
- Hedging and screens
- Climber and wall shrubs
- Wall side borders
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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