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ShrubsFruit Edible

Chaenomeles speciosa Hot Fire ('Minvesu')
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Japanese quince [Hot Fire]

A bushy, deciduous shrub to 1.5m in height and spread, with arching branches and glossy, toothed, dark green oval-shaped leaves. Clusters of cup-shaped, scarlet-red flowers on leafless, thorny branches in spring, followed by aromatic yellow fruits in summer. These can be used to make jams and jellies but please see notes on toxicity for further advice

Synonyms
Chaenomeles speciosa 'Minvesu'

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical 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

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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
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • Hedging and screens
  • 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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