Chaenomeles speciosa explained

Chaenomeles speciosa, the flowering quince, Chinese quince or Japanese quince,^[1] is a thorny deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub native to eastern Asia. It is taller than another commonly cultivated species, C. japonica, usually growing to about 2m (07feet).^[1] The flowers are usually red, but may be pink, white or green.^[2] The fruit is a fragrant, hard pome that resembles a quince.^[1]

Cultivation

This plant is widely cultivated in temperate regions for its twining habit and its showy flowers which appear early in the season, occasionally even in midwinter. It is frequently used as an informal low hedge. Numerous cultivars with flowers in shades of white, pink and red have been selected. The following cultivars and hybrids have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:^[3]

The following cultivars have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:

• 'Geisha Girl'^[4] (salmon pink)
• 'Moerloosei'^[5] (scarlet)
• 'Pink Lady'^[6] (pink)

See also

• Pseudocydonia (C. sinensis), also called mugua and Chinese quince
• Papaya, a tropical fruit that shares the name mugua

Notes and References

1. Bailey, L.H.; Bailey, E.Z.; the staff of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium. 1976. Hortus third: A concise dictionary of plants cultivated in the United States and Canada. Macmillan, New York.
2. Web site: RHS Chaenomeles Speciosa 'Yukigoten' . RHS.
3. Web site: AGM Plants - Ornamental . July 2017 . 16 . Royal Horticultural Society . 24 January 2018.
4. Web site: Chaenomeles speciosa 'Geisha Girl' . RHS . 12 April 2020.
5. Web site: Chaenomeles speciosa 'Moerloosei'. RHS . 12 April 2020.
6. Web site: Chaenomeles × superba 'Pink Lady' . RHS . 12 April 2020.