Dwarf Quince, Maule's quince, Japanese Flowering Quince
Chaenomeles japonica
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Orange, Red. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Late winter, Mid spring. Form: Vase.
Chaenomeles japonica is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 2 m (6ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from November to January. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Woods in low mountains, C. and S. Japan.
E. Asia - Japan
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Britain, China*, Europe, Japan*, Tasmania,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Fruit - raw or cooked. Very harsh and acid raw but fragrant when cooked, imparting a strong pleasant flavour to jams and jellies, it is especially good cooked with apples in apple pies. The fruit is apple-shaped and about 4cm in diameter. The rich aromatic juice, as tart as a lemon, is squeezed and used for culinary purposes.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
Plants sucker freely and can be used as a ground cover. The form C. japonica alpina grows to about half the size of the species, it is especially suitable and can be planted about 1 metre apart each way.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
Ground cover: Ground Cover
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Hedge, Massing, Woodland garden. Easily cultivated in any reasonably good soil. Prefers a deep moist well-drained loam. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates full shade but requires a sunny position for best fruit production. Becomes chlorotic on very alkaline soils. Tolerates atmospheric pollution. A very ornamental plant, it is hardy to about -25°c and fruits freely in Britain. Plants are occasionally cultivated for their edible fruit. This species is closely allied to C. speciosa. A good bee plant, flowering early in the year and providing pollen and nectar. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Special Features:Not North American native, Attractive flowers or blooms. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is branching: a heart root, dividing from the crown into several primary roots going down and out .
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sheltered position outdoors or in a cold frame. Sow stored seed in February in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 6 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. If well grown, these seedling can be large enough to plant out in the summer, but give them some protection in their first winter. Otherwise plant them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Easy. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, November in a cold frame. Layering in late spring or in autumn. This is a sure and easy method, though it takes 12 months. Division of suckers in late winter. They can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 5-8
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Synonyms
C. maulei. Cydonia japonica. Cydonia maulei. Pyrus japonica. non Sims. P. maulei.