There is a category of shrubs and trees that produce flowers before the leaves arrive in early spring, creating a wonderful tableau of bloom and branch. One of my favorites is Chaenomeles speciosa, commonly called Flowering Quince. Native to China and Japan, but well at home in our equally temperate climate, chaenomeles will reach 5 to 8 feet in height and about as wide. It isn't just the flowers, ranging in color from pure white to pale pink to rose to a deep blood red, that draw your eye. The dense network of thorny branches provide the perfect stark complement. Two-inch, five-petaled flowers, in either a single or double form, appear in February or March, making their presence known at first as brilliant buds, dotting the narrow highways of the bare branches, then unfurling overnight to reveal their miniature dramas.
As the first flowers begin to fade, alternately arranged oval leaves appear to add a subtle backdrop to the presentation. On many varieties, foliage opens red-bronze then ages a dark green in summer. The Japanese have worked for centuries identifying preferred selections and creating hybrids of flowering quince that bloom in every imaginable pink and red hue.
Flowering quince are ideal for mixed hedges and borders. They also make effective security barriers and hedges by virtue of the thorny, dense tangle of stems they produce. They can even be espaliered against fences. With their stark beauty and toughness, flowering quince are prized by bonsai collectors.
Flowering quince fruit is very hard and astringent, which makes it unpleasant to eat raw. They are, however, suitable for making liqueurs, as well as marmalade and preserves. They contain more pectin than apples and true quince. The fruit also holds more vitamin C than lemons. Flowering quince branches are very popular in ikebana arrangements, which emphasize other areas of the plant besides flowers, such as its stems and leaves, in order to highlight the shape, line and form of the art piece.
Grow in full sun or light shade in any reasonably good soil. Chaenomeles prefer a deep, moist, well-drained, loam though they are so vigorous they'll even do well in heavy clay soils. As new growth bears next year's flowers, some annual pruning is recommended. To prune, remove only crossing, diseased or broken branches. Flowering quince should never be sheared. Cut branches with swollen flower buds may be forced indoors, making a lovely winter flower arrangement. Chaenomeles is a vigorous grower and will spread, though most gardeners don't consider it invasive. Zones 5-8.
May be prone to canker, rust and scales but generally is a hardy shrub.
Ornamental quince varieties are available in 1- and 5-gallon sizes beginning in February. For a good red, choose 'Texas Scarlet' or 'Super Red' C. Kurokoji (pictured above) features intense blood red blooms. Excellent pink varieties include 'Pink Lady' and 'Cameo,' which adds a bit of an apricot overtone. The best white is C. 'Nivalis.' 'Toyo Nishiki' is a popular variety, as it is available in a variety of colors.
Erle Nickel is an Oakland nurseryman, gardening writer and photographer.