August 1996
Foliage: Deciduous broadleaf
Height: 6 to 10 feet
Spread: 6 to 12 feet
Shape: Bushy
Glossy, green foliage appears soon after profuse red flowers cover the plant in spring. Yellow- green fruits are apple-like.
Zone: 4 to 8
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Moisture: Wet, moist, or dry
Soil Type: Sandy, loam, or clay
pH Range: 3.7 to 7.0
Suggested uses for this plant include specimen plant, border, barrier, hedge, and attracting wildlife.
Plant shrubs that have balled and
burlapped
roots.
Tolerates wide range of soil conditions except
very alkaline soils which cause iron chlorosis.
Regular pruning needed to maintain plant size
and shape and results in better flowering.
Remove approximately 1/3 of the wood, including
the oldest branches and any weak growth, at
ground level after flowering each spring.
Iron chlorosis develops when grown in high
pH
soils.
Heavy amounts of rainfall and leaf spot causes
defoliation (leaf loss).
Consult local sources, including historic or public gardens and arboreta, regarding cultivars and related species that grow well in your area.
Cultivars of CHAENOMELES SPECIOSA:
`Cameo' has peach-pink double flowers.
`Nivalis' is an upright form with white flowers.
`Texas Scarlet' has profuse, red flowers.
Related species:
CHAENOMELES JAPONICA (Japanese Quince) a smaller
plant (only 3 feet high), is similar to
Flowering Quince.
Quince shrubs are grown for their early
spring
flowers.
Their thorny stems make them a good plant to use
as a barrier to direct traffic.
The apple-like fruit can be used to make
jellies.
The PRUNING SERIES videotape can be ordered
through your local Extension office.
The following Extension publications are
available through your local Extension office or
directly from:
Virginia Tech
Extension Distribution Center
112 Landsdowne St.
Blacksburg, VA 24061
#426-500 "Winter Injury to Trees and Shrubs"
#426-606 "Selecting Landscape Plants - Deciduous
Shrubs"
This material was developed by Carol Ness as part of the
Interactive Design and Development Project funded by the Kellogg
Foundation. Mary Miller, Project Director. Diane Relf, Content
Specialist, Horticulture. Copyright 1989 by VCE.