Species Japanese quince
red flowers with pale-yellow filaments and anthers with green leaves on a brown branch

Japanese quince

Chaenomeles japonica

Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) is a stunningly vibrant deciduous shrub that blooms in showy clusters of pink or Hawaiian orange flowers in late winter or early spring. Highly fragrant, the flowers are a bushy contrast to the glossy, attractive foliage. Japanese quince is incredibly resilient and can thrive in a wide range of soil and climate conditions. Once established, it is very low maintenance, requiring rarely any pruning. As a bonus, its fruits are also edible. Japanese quince is a beautiful, versatile shrub that will bring life to any garden!

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Orange-scarlet Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

red,yellow,orange Fruits Ready In Fall

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Japanese quince should be watered often and deeply. They thrive in moist, well-drained soil which is kept consistently precipitated. Water as soon as the top inch of soil dries out, usually every 5-7 days. However, the frequency of watering can vary depending on weather conditions. In hotter, drier climates, Japanese quince may need to be watered more often.

sunlight

Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) prefers full sun for 6-8 hours per day. It will flower best when grown in the sunniest available location, especially in areas with shorter days and cooler temperatures. During the peak of summer, Japanese quince may benefit from some afternoon shade, but for the best results, consistent bright light should be provided throughout the growing season.

pruning

Japanese quince should be pruned in late winter when the plant is still dormant. The best way to prune Japanese quince is to do light pruning on the younger shoots each year, removing only a few inches of the tips. This helps keep the plant from becoming overgrown, and encourages branching and more flowering. If the shrub has become overgrown, it can be lightly pruned in the early spring. Care should be taken not to remove too much of the growth or cut into the older wood as this can damage the plant or kill it.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Chaenomeles japonica typically begins in late September and continues through October.

Starts Flowering

Chaenomeles japonica typically starts flowering in March.

Hardiness Map