84 gardener saves
Chaenomeles: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 5 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 5 most-saved Chaenomeles varieties
Of 5 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedFlowering Quince
Chaenomeles speciosa 'Orange Storm'
#2 most savedCameo Flowering Quince
Chaenomeles superba 'Cameo'
#3 most savedFlowering Quince
Chaenomeles speciosa 'Scarlet Storm'
Double Take Peach Quince
Chaenomeles speciosa 'Double Take Peach'
Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince
Chaenomeles speciosa 'Texas Scarlet'
How to grow Chaenomeles
What the Chaenomeles varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Chaenomeles year
- PruneApril and May100% of varieties
Prune immediately after flowering to shape the plant and remove suckers.
- FertilizeMarch100% of varieties
Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.
- PlantMarch, September and October40% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall in a well-drained location.
Do
- Prune right after flowering to avoid cutting off next year's buds.
- Cut branches in late winter to force into bloom indoors.
- Plant in full sun for maximum blooms.
- Remove any root suckers to maintain a tidy shape.
- Provide full sun for maximum blooms.
Avoid
- Don't prune in late summer, fall, or winter.
- Avoid planting in shady spots, which will result in sparse flowering.
- Don't overwater; it is susceptible to root rot in soggy soil.
- Don't worry about its sparse, nearly thornless nature; it's a feature of 'Cameo'.
What goes wrong with Chaenomeles
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Clusters of small insects on new growth, sticky residue. | A strong jet of water can dislodge them. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil for heavier infestations. |
| Fungal Leaf Spot | Brown or black spots on leaves, can cause some defoliation. | Improve air circulation. Rake up and destroy fallen leaves. Apply a fungicide if the problem is severe and persistent. |
| Fire Blight | Sudden wilting and blackening of branch tips, looking as if scorched by fire. | Prune off infected branches, cutting at least 12 inches into healthy wood. Disinfect pruners between each cut. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer. |
| Chlorosis | Yellowing leaves with green veins, typically caused by high pH soil. | Apply chelated iron or a soil acidifier like elemental sulfur to the soil around the plant according to package directions. |
Making more Chaenomeles
Softwood Cuttings
- In early summer, take 4-6 inch cuttings from new growth.
- Remove lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone.
- Stick cuttings in a moist, sterile medium like perlite or sand.
- Cover with plastic to maintain humidity; roots form in about 6 weeks.
Softwood cuttings
- Take 6-inch cuttings of new growth in early summer.
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone.
- Stick in a moist, well-drained medium.
- Keep humid; rooting occurs in about 6-8 weeks. Note: Patented plant, propagation is prohibited.
Chaenomeles questions
How many types of Chaenomeles are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Chaenomeles varieties. The most popular — ranked by 84 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Chaenomeles grow in?
Across its varieties, Chaenomeles covers USDA Zones 5–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Chaenomeles bloom?
Most Chaenomeles varieties bloom in early spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Chaenomeles should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Chaenomeles shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Chaenomeles in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
