Quince  - Cydonia oblonga - €15 per tree
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The Greeks and Romans considered Quince to be sacred to Venus, who is often depicted with a quince in her right hand. Suprising then, that the Quince is not cultivated more often, especially considering that it succeeds in most soils and climatic conditions.  It is easily grown in acidic, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade and in these conditions the flowering and fruiting is likely to be most successful.  The flowers are of high ornamental value and attract a wide range of pollinators. The fruit is deliciously distinctive and used widely in preserves and jellies. The quince also has an important function as a dwarfing root stock, providing grafted varieties the ability to withstand cold temperatures. ​To order this plant please contact us [email protected].
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Context

  • native region: Europe - Mediterranean and Western Asia
  • native habitat: Hedgerows and thickets
  • family: Rosaceae

Pest and Predators

  • No serious pest problems but can be affected by  leaf and fruit spots, powdery mildew and rust.

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Full shade, semi-shade or full sun
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a - 8b
  • Prefers moist soil
  • Adapts to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers well-drained loams.

Known hazards 

  • ​​The seed is poisonous. Like many of the species in the family Rosaceae it contains hydrogen cyanide.

Overview

  • Bare root 
  • Deciduous tree growing to 7.5m x 7m
  • It is in flower in May and the seeds ripen in November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers moist, well drained soil. 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline).
  • It can grow in full shade, semi-shade (light woodland) or full sun although flowers and fruits more in full sun

Characteristics

  • form: small sized tree
  • layer : Lower Canopy
  • habit: Multi-stemmed tree
  • Size: 7.5 m x 7 m 

Products 

  • Fruit: When grown in warm temperate or tropical climates, the fruit can be eaten raw as it becomes soft and juicy.  In cooler climates with cold winters however, it astringent and needs to be cooked before being eaten. It is used in jellies, preserves etc, providing a deliciously floral flavour.  The cooked fruit also adds a tasty flavour to cooked apples. The fruit is rich in pectin and often added to various jams.
  • Flowers: Stunningly beautiful solitary white - pale pink blooms that are large, at around 4 -5 cm long and with five petals.
  • Medicinal: The fruit, bark and flowers all have medicinal qualities including being antivinous, astringent, cardiac, carminative and digestive.

Functions, behaviours

  • Easily grown in acidic, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best flowering occurs in full sun. 
  • Suckers when young and must be trained as a tree or it will spread to form a thicket.
  • Water well during dry summers, especially during the first few years of establishment.​
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project