Flowering Quince


Flowering Quince

A genu of three species of deciduous, sometimes spiny shrubs and small trees, native to E Asia. All are widely cultivated as ornamentals, both in the open and as wall shrubs. Chaenomeles speciosa has many cultivars, with a variety of habits and colors, and single or double flowers, ranging from white to pink and crimson. These are among the loveliest and most easily grown of early spring-flowering plants, with the added interest of edible fruits. Medicinal use of C. speciosa was first mentioned in China c.CE470; it was introduced to Kew in 1796 by Sir Joseph Banks. Its popularity as a subject for bonsai has spread to the west from China and Japan.

Deciduous, spreading shrub with dense, spiny twigs and ovate leaves, 4-9cm (1½-3½in) long.Scarlet, 5-petaled flowers to 4.5cm (1¾in) across, appear from late winter, followed by aromatic, speckled fruits to 6cm (2½in) long.


Common Name:
Flowering Quince
Other Names:
Japonica, Japanese quince
Botanical Name:
Chaenomeles speciosa
Genus:
Chaenomeles
Family:
Rosaceae
Native Location:
Woodland China
Cultivation:
Well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, either in the open or trained against a wall. Fruiting is best in sun. Plants grown in the open need little pruning other than thinning out or shaping branches after flowering. Prune wall-trained specimens after flowering, reducing the previous year's growth to two or three buds and cutting back any outward-growing shoots. Plants may be affected by fireblight and may suffer from chlorosis on very alkaline soils.
Propagation:
By seed sown in autumn and placed in a cold frame; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer; by layering long shoots in early autumn. Cultivars do not come true from seed.
Harvest:
Fruits are gathered when ripe in the autumn and dried for use in decoctions, or consumed fresh.
Variations:
Cameo
Is a compact shrub with few thorns, producing semi-double, apricot-pink flowers and greenish-yellow fruits with a lemon-like aroma.
Height: 1-1.5m (3-5ft)

Moerloosei syn. 'Apple Blossom'
Has dense clusters of pink-flushed, white flowers that resemble apple blossoms.

Nivalis
Has pure white flowers

Simonii
Has large, double, deep red flowers.
Height:
2.5m (8ft)
Width:
5m (15ft)
Hardiness:
Z4-8
Parts Used:
Fruits (mu gua)
Properties:
An anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic herb that acts mainly as a circulatory and digestive stimulant.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for rheumatism, arthritis, cramps (especially in the calf muscles), painful, weak, or swollen lower limbs, stomach cramps due to indigestion, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Culinary Uses:
Fruits may be used as a substitute for quince (Cydonia oblonga) in jams and jellies, and for flavoring apples and other stewed or baked fruits.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni BrownCopyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp. 163-164