4 named cultivars

shrub

Flowering Quince

$50.95

The Story

Plant Bio

Chaenomeles speciosa, flowering quince, is a dense thorny deciduous shrub native to China, reaching six to twelve feet. Cup-shaped flowers in scarlet, coral, pink or white open directly on bare stems in late winter and early spring, well ahead of the glossy dark green leaves, which emerge bronze-red. Hard aromatic fruit follows in autumn.

It flowers earlier than almost any other shrub, often in February, and the branches force readily indoors if cut in bud. The stems carry sharp spines, which makes it an effective barrier planting but a poor choice beside a path, and the fruit is too hard and sour to eat raw though it makes excellent jelly.

Uses & Benefits:

Vivid flowers on bare stems in late winter, weeks before almost anything else.

Thorny enough for a genuine barrier hedge, and tolerant of poor soil, drought and salt.

Very early nectar for emerging bees, hummingbirds and butterflies.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

108 inches

Width

96 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low to moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

China

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Marketplace

Where to Buy

PlantingTree

In Stock$50.95

Fast Growing Trees

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Planting

How to Grow

Plant in autumn or early spring in almost any well-drained soil.
Choose full sun for the heaviest flowering.
Allow six to ten feet of width.
Water through the first season only.
Prune straight after flowering; it blooms on old wood.
Remove suckers to keep the shrub in bounds.

Pro Tip

Cut branches in tight bud in January and force them indoors — they open in a warm room weeks before the shrub flowers outside.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune right after flowering ✂️
Plant in full sun for the best bloom ☀️
Cut budded stems to force indoors 🌸
Use it as a thorny barrier hedge 🛡️

Don't

Prune in winter and lose the flowers ❌
Plant it beside a path; the thorns are sharp ❌
Expect to eat the fruit raw ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monitor
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Thorny barrier or informal hedgeLate-winter flowering shrubCut stems for forcing indoors

Companion Plants

Witch Hazel Winter Jasmine Hellebore Snowdrop Forsythia

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 late winter to 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.