Flowering Quince
Chaenomeles speciosa 'Scarlet Storm'
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Shrub
Height
54 inches
Width
42 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Water
Low to medium
Humidity
Adaptable
Lifespan
Long-lived shrub
Native To
China
Toxicity
Non-toxic
The Story
Plant Bio
Chaenomeles speciosa is a dense, spreading deciduous shrub prized for its vibrant, early spring display of cup-shaped flowers that appear on bare branches before the leaves emerge. Older varieties are often thorny. 'Scarlet Storm' is a revolutionary cultivar from the Double Take series, notable for being both thornless and fruitless. It produces an abundance of huge, double, camellia-like scarlet-red flowers.
Bloom Period:
Uses & Benefits:
Marketplace
Where to Buy
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Planting
How to Grow
- Select a site with full sun for the best flower production.
- This shrub is adaptable to most soils, but good drainage is beneficial.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the plant's container.
- Set the plant in the hole at the same depth it was growing in the pot.
- Backfill with soil, firm it gently, and water well.
- Mulch around the base to conserve water.
Pro Tip
Prune after flowering by cutting back the branches that have just bloomed. This encourages new growth that will carry next year's flowers.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Provide full sun for maximum blooms.
- Prune right after the spring bloom is finished.
- Water deeply during periods of extended drought.
- Cut branches in late winter to force into bloom indoors.
Don't
- Do not prune in late summer, fall, or winter, as you will remove flower buds.
- Avoid planting in poorly drained, wet soils.
- Don't worry about fruit cleanup; 'Scarlet Storm' is fruitless.
- Avoid alkaline soils, which can cause leaf chlorosis.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fertilize | ||||||||||||
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Flowering Quince questions
What zones can Flowering Quince grow in?
Flowering Quince is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Flowering Quince deer resistant?
Yes — Flowering Quince is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Flowering Quince bloom?
Flowering Quince typically blooms in early spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Flowering Quince need full sun?
Flowering Quince does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Is Flowering Quince drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Flowering Quince handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
More Chaenomeles to compare
Flowering Quince
Chaenomeles speciosa 'Orange Storm'
Cameo Flowering Quince
Chaenomeles superba 'Cameo'
Double Take Peach Quince
Chaenomeles speciosa 'Double Take Peach'
Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince
Chaenomeles speciosa 'Texas Scarlet'
Keep exploring
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