Chaenomeles speciosa, flowering quince
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Deciduous Shrubs

Chaenomeles speciosa

flowering quince

Rosaceae
Central and eastern China; mountain slopes and forest margins

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At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)
Width6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)
Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9
Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsAttracts HummingbirdsDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Chaenomeles speciosa is flowering quince (Japanese quince), a thorny deciduous shrub growing 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) tall and 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) wide. Flowers 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in red, orange, pink, or white (cultivar-dependent) in clusters along bare branches in February-April — among the first shrubs to bloom in late winter. Single or double flowers. Dark green glossy oval leaves 1.5-3 inches (4-7 cm). Thorny branches armed with sharp spines 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm). Hard yellowish-green fruit (quinces) 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) ripen in fall — edible when cooked (high in pectin for jellies), unpalatable raw. In Rosaceae. Native to central and eastern China. The thorny, tangled growth habit becomes messy and dense without regular thinning after flowering — this tangled habit is the primary maintenance limitation. Suckers from the base and can form a spreading thicket. Leaf spot and fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) can disfigure foliage in humid climates. Deer-resistant (thorny). Drought-tolerant once established. Non-toxic. Zones 4-9. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Native to central and eastern China. Found on mountain slopes and forest margins.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a specimen shrub, barrier planting (thorny), informal hedge, and in containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L). Late winter-early spring bloom on bare branches. Edible fruit (cooked). Thorny — deer-resistant. Drought-tolerant. Non-toxic. Zones 4-9.

How to Identify

Identified by flowers in red, orange, pink, or white on bare thorny branches in late winter-early spring, followed by dark green glossy foliage and hard yellowish-green quinces in fall. The thorny branches, the early bloom timing on bare wood, and the hard fruit are diagnostic. Distinguished from Cydonia oblonga (true quince — larger tree, larger fruit, no thorns) by the thorny habit and smaller fruit. In Rosaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 10'
Width/Spread6' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red
orange
pink
white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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WinterSpring
Late winter to early spring (February-April). Flowers 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in red, orange, pink, or white in clusters of 2-4 along bare branches. 4 weeks of bloom. Bee- and hummingbird-pollinated. Hard yellowish-green quinces ripen September-October.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Red, orange, pink, or white depending on cultivar; single or double, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) diameter, in clusters of 2-4 along bare branches before leaf emergence

Foliage Description

Dark green, glossy, oval with finely serrated margins, 1.5-3 inches (4-7 cm) long; turns yellow in fall — fall color is usually unremarkable

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclay
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years to first bloom

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade (4-8 hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.0. Drought-tolerant once established. Prune immediately after flowering (April-May) — blooms on old wood. Thin the tangled interior to reduce density. Sharp thorns — wear heavy gloves. Remove suckers to control spread. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 4-9.

Pruning

Prune immediately after flowering (April-May) — blooms on old (previous season's) wood. Thin the dense tangled interior by removing the oldest stems at the base (renewal pruning). Remove suckers to prevent thicket formation. Sharp spines — wear heavy gloves.

Pruning Schedule

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late spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 5 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic