Species

Chaenomeles speciosaFlowering Quince

3 other cultivars

shrub

Scarlet Storm Flowering Quince

Chaenomeles speciosa 'Scarlet Storm'

$45.00

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.

Uses & Benefits:

Scarlet Storm provides an absolutely stunning, high-impact floral display in the early spring garden. The large, intensely colored, double red flowers resemble camellias and cover the bare branches, creating a dramatic focal point.

Because it is thornless, it's much easier to work with than older quince varieties. It can be used as a specimen, in a mixed border, or planted as a colorful, easy-care hedge.

The early blooms provide a valuable nectar source for hummingbirds and emerging pollinators like bees, giving them a much-needed food supply before many other plants are in flower.

SpeciesChaenomeles speciosaFlowering Quince

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

Bloom period

Early spring – Mid-spring

In flower about 2 months of the year

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Sooner Plant Farm

1+ Gal Pot

In Stock$45.00

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

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

Explosive early spring specimenColorful informal hedge or barrierExcellent source for cut branches for forcing indoors

Companion Plants

Forsythia x intermedia Narcissus spp.Tulipa spp.Spiraea thunbergii 'Ogon'Helleborus x hybridus

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Scarlet Storm Flowering Quince questions

What zones can Scarlet Storm Flowering Quince grow in?

Scarlet Storm 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 Scarlet Storm Flowering Quince deer resistant?

Yes — Scarlet Storm Flowering Quince is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Scarlet Storm Flowering Quince bloom?

Scarlet Storm 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 Scarlet Storm Flowering Quince need full sun?

Scarlet Storm Flowering Quince does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Scarlet Storm Flowering Quince drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Scarlet Storm Flowering Quince handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.