Genus Chaenomeles (Flowering quince)

Chaenomeles X superba 'Texas Scarlet' Photo/Illustration: Image Botanica

key-NOM-el-eez Common Name: Flowering quince

These deciduous, often spiny shrubs from mountain woodlands in China and Japan are cultivated for their early flowers. The cup-shaped, 5-petaled blooms are usually pink, pale pink, or white, borne singly or in dense clusters. Some cultivars have white, crimson, or orange flowers. They appear before or with the alternate, simple, toothed leaves. Apple-like, edible, aromatic fruit is yellow to green or purplish green, appearing in autumn. 
Noteworthy characteristics: Fruit is palatable when cooked. Some species make effective groundcovers or low hedges. May tolerate alkaline soils and polluted environments.
Care: Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in sun or part shade. Grow in a shrub border or on a bank, or train against a wall. Flowers and fruits best in full sun.
Propagation: Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Layer in autumn.
Problems: Prone to fireblight, canker, rust, apple mosaic virus, and scale insects.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Chaenomeles

Chaenomeles × superba ‘Texas Scarlet’
(Flowering quince) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

1

2

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11

One look at ‘Texas Scarlet’ flowering quince in bloom and most gardeners are instantly sold. Though the display only lasts a week or two in early spring, the sight of the tomato-red flowers is unforgettable. During the rest of the season, ‘Texas Scarlet’ remains a wave of glossy green leaves that reaches 2 to 3 feet tall in the toughest of conditions.

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