Sometimes referred to as the ugly duckling of winter shrubs because of a prevalence of tangled twigs and thorns, the late winter flowering quince, Chaenomeles speciosa, transforms into a showgirl specimen wearing clusters of white, pink, red, rose, or salmon single or double blossoms before the leaves appear. Quince is often found in the company of forsythia.

The medium shrub matures to a height and spread of 4–8 feet. Growth habit is dense and rounded in form. It can be spotted around old farm homes and established inner city neighborhoods. The City of Columbia division of Beautification and Forestry has brought the common flowering quince to wider public attention in their landscaping projects.

By summer the flowers give way to small aromatic edible tart firm fruits savored more by wildlife than humans. However, a recipe for quince jelly in my Southern Living cookbook calls for a pound and a half of quince and three cups of sugar to create a congealed spread.

Quince f lower s are displayed in clusters. The easy to grow shrub flowers best in a sunny to partial sun location in hardiness zones 4–9. It adapts to most soil types. Chlorosis, a yellowing of leaves, occurs in highly alkaline soils, not likely in the Midlands. The shrub tolerates pollution, urban settings, and drought conditions.

Gardeners share the plant with neighbors through tip cuttings or layering. Seed propagation requires cold stratification. Mail order sources of the plant include Forest Farm, Heronswood, Wayside Gardens, and White Flower Farm.

Quinces have a wide variety of landscape uses: shrub borders, windbreaks, under tall trees like pines, in massed plantings, informal hedges, or as single specimens. They are also good candidates for espalier and are popular bonsai specimens. Their dense thorny growth is ideal for barriers and perimeter plantings.

Cultivar “Toyo-Nishiki” has red, pink, and white flower clusters on the same plant. Quince branches are a favorite to force into early indoor bloom.

Quince, a rose family member, is susceptible to fire blight, scale, canker, apple rust, and apple mosaic virus. Apple scab can cause defoliating by mid–summer. Aphids appear on new growth.

Annual rejuvenation pruning increases the shrubs ornamental appeal and controls its “bad hair day” appearance. Prune after spring flowering.

Fall is the best time to add shrubs to the garden. Consider the cultivars “Cameo,” “Jet Trail,” “Contorta,” “Texas Scarlet,” “Cardinalis,” and “Toyo– Nishiki.”
White–blossoming “Jet Trail” was bred for compact growth habit.
The common flowering quince is a native of China.
Prune yearly after flowering to maintain bloom potential and tidy appearance.