Chaenomeles spp. - Flowering Quince (Rosaceae)

Chaenomeles spp. - Flowering Quince
(Rosaceae)
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Chaenomeles is a functional flowering hedge, border,
or specimen shrub that can be used near buildings.
The major appeal of Flowering Quince is its showy
but brief flowering period. The rest of the year it’s a
utilitarian thorny shrub with limited aesthetic
attributes.
FEATURES
Form
-large shrubs
2-6' tall
-vased shaped
habit with
many small
diameter
stems
-1:1 height to
width ratio
-rapid growth
Culture
-full sun
-adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions
-thrives under stressful conditions
-moderate availability
Foliage
-alternate, lanceolate
-serrate margins
-somewhat leathery
-to 4" long
-leafy, kidney-shaped stipules (an ID feature)
-summer color is dense medium green and attractive,
new growth often bronze
-autumn color yellowish green
Flowers
-prominent in early spring (Apr.) before foliage
-solitary or clustered
-borne all along stem
-white to pink to red to orange; ornamental display
can be quite spectacular, though brief (1-2 weeks)
-1" diameter with five petals
Fruits
-large apple-like fruit that is green to yellow in color
-2-3" diameter
-rarely present (plants often self-sterile)
Twigs
-buds small and reddish in color
-lightly armed (terminal and axillary spines)
-young bark is reddish and cherry-like
Trunk
-gray brown
-many small diameter stems closely crowded, arising
from the ground
USAGE
Function
-sun tolerant, long-lived shrub
-useful as a hedge or barrier
Texture
-medium in foliage and when bare
Assets
-urban tolerant
-withstand severe pruning
-drought tolerant
-early spring flowers
-dense growth and long-lived
-lightly armed for effective "crowd control"
Liabilities
-poor autumn color
-trash can accumulate among its many small diameter
stems (maintenance headache)
-prone to cosmetic damage by insects
-sheds foliage in summer in response to drought or
disease pressure
Habitat
-Zones 4 to 8, depending on species
-Native to the Orient (China, Japan)
SELECTIONS
Alternates
-urban tolerant shrub with vase-shaped winter form
(e.g. Berberis thunbergii, Berberis x mentorensis,
Spiraea nipponica 'Snowmound' etc.)
-early spring flowering shrubs (e.g. Forsythia
cultivars, Fothergilla, Viburnum carlesii, etc.)
Cultivars – Variants – Related species
Two species are commonly available in the trade,
each in various cultivars:
-C. speciosa – Common Flowering Quince - shrub to
6 ' tall; many cultivars, but the most commonly sold
in Ohio are:
-'Cameo' - peachy pink flowers that appear in early
May before the leaves
-'Jet Trail' - a white flowering sport of 'Texas Scarlet'
and a bit more thorny
-'Texas Scarlet' - fiery scarlet flowers, shiny green
foliage, almost thornless
-C. japonica – Japanese Flowering Quince - shrub to
2-3' tall, weed prone due to reduced stature, many
cultivars