common name:
Flowering Quince
|
scientific name:
Chaenomeles
speciosa
Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) produces vibrant red to orange blooms along its branches in early spring before full leaf emergence. Photo taken March 31, 2026 outside of the Backyard Farmer Garden.
Image Creadit:
Trey Lamkins, Graduate Research Assistant
Flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) is a deciduous shrub valued for its vibrant early-spring blooms that appear along bare, often thorny branches before the leaves fully emerge. Producing clusters of red, orange, or pink flowers, it provides one of the earliest bursts of color in the landscape and serves as an important nectar source for early pollinators. As the season progresses, glossy green foliage develops, followed by small, hard fruits that can be used for jellies and preserves.
Charecteristics
Plant type:
Deciduous shrub
Hardiness Zones:
5a, 5b, 6a, 7, 8, 9
Light Needs:
Full Sun
Water Needs:
Moist
Space Requirements:
6 -12 feet
Height Requirements:
6– 0 feet
Spread Requirements:
5–8 feet
Bloom Color:
Red
Bloom Time:
Spring
Leaf Color:
Green
Companion Plant Tolerance:
Drought
Uses:
Naturalize
Varieties