shrub RHS Award

Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince

Name: Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince
Brand: Chaenomeles
Availability: InStock

Chaenomeles speciosa 'Texas Scarlet'

$85.00

Expertly Curated

Real-Time Pricing

Loved by Designers

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

30 inches

Width

48 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low to medium

Humidity

Average

Lifespan

Long-lived shrub

Native To

China

Toxicity

Fruit is edible only when cooked

The Story

Plant Bio

Chaenomeles, or flowering quince, are dense, thorny, deciduous shrubs prized for their vibrant, cup-shaped flowers that appear in early spring on bare branches. They often produce a hard, aromatic, quince-like fruit that can be used in preserves. 'Texas Scarlet' is a popular cultivar noted for its low, spreading habit and profusion of brilliant, tomato-red to scarlet single flowers. It is less thorny than many other varieties and is a reliable, heavy bloomer.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a stunning, fiery red floral display very early in the spring, often before leaves emerge. The glossy green foliage is attractive through summer.

The thorny branches make it an effective barrier plant or security hedge. The cut branches are excellent for forcing indoors in late winter.

The early flowers are a vital food source for emerging pollinators, including bees and early-arriving hummingbirds. The fruit can be eaten by wildlife.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Sooner Plant Farm

1+ Gal Pot

In Stock$85.00

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun for the best flower production.
Adapts to most soils but prefers well-drained loam.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball.
Set the shrub at the same depth it grew in its container.
Backfill with soil, water thoroughly to settle.
Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Pro Tip

For indoor forcing, cut branches in late winter when buds begin to swell and place them in water.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune right after flowering to avoid removing next year's buds.
Water during extended droughts.
Allow it to develop its natural form.

Don't

Don't prune late in the season.
Don't plant in wet, poorly drained soil.
Avoid over-fertilizing.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Brilliant early spring color for mixed bordersThorny barrier or informal hedgeExcellent for espalier against a wall or fence

Companion Plants

Forsythia Spiraea thunbergii Narcissus Helleborus Vinca minor

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince questions

What zones can Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince grow in?

Texas Scarlet 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 Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince deer resistant?

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

When does Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince bloom?

Texas Scarlet 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 Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince need full sun?

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

Is Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince drought tolerant?

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