Japanese Quince - Chaenomeles speciosa - €11 per plant 

Japanese Quince is a hardy versatile shrub. The plants flowers early in the year providing a valuable source of early food for bees. The flowers form highly aromatic edible fruits that are ready for picking from October onward. Growing well in partial shade the plants can be grown in the under story of larger fruit trees. They take well to trimming and can be used within a living hedge.  To order this plant please contact us [email protected]. 

Context

  • native region: E.Asia- China 
  • native habitat: Long cultivated, its natural habitat is now obscure.
  • family: Rosaceae

Predators

  • Woolly Aphid 
  • Produces lots of delicious fruits without pesticides or dangerous sprays.

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi-shade or  full sun 
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a - 8b
  • Prefers well drained soil 
  • Mulch with compost  and keep weed free every spring whilst the plant establishes 
  • Water when dry in summer  

Overview

  • Deciduous Shrub growing to 3m (9ft) by 5m (16ft).
  • In flower from Feb to June, and the seeds ripen in October. 
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.
  • Noted for attracting wildlife. 
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. 
  • Can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
  • Prefers moist soil.
  • Can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Characteristics

  • form: medium sized shrub
  • layer : Shrub Layer
  • habit: multi-stemmed, shallow roots  
  • height x width (m): 3 x 3
  • years to bearing fruit: 3-4  years  
  • productive life span: 10-15 years 

Products 

  • Fruit: Pomes; Sep-Oct  Fruit needs cooking ,good in jams and preserves, a nutritional  juice can also be made from the fruit and acts as a powerful vitality stimulant.
  • Yield:  approx.5-10kg when mature  
  • Flowers: attracting bees 
  • Ornamental value
  • Plants can be grown as a medium sized hedge  

Functions, behaviours

  • animal dispersed seed
  • easy to grow from seed 
  • self pollinates
  • A good bee plant, flowering early in the year and providing pollen and nectar
  • Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus

Polyculture Partners - plants that should grow well with Chaenomeles speciosa  

Picture

    If you would like more information about this polyculture click to here to move over to our blog article. 
    If you would like this plant  please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
    Balkan Ecology Project