Chaenomeles speciosa

Flowering Quince

A classic, early-blooming flowering quince valued for its vibrant red, coral, pink, or white spring flowers that appear on bare branches before leaf-out. Blooms provide one of the earliest bursts of color in the landscape, followed by glossy green foliage that forms a dense, thorny shrub. In fall, plants may produce small, aromatic yellow fruits. Chaenomeles speciosa is tough, adaptable, and long-lived.

Size



Width: 6–10 ft



Height: 6–10 ft



Hardiness



USDA Zones: 5a–9b



Light



Full sun to partial shade



Best flowering in full sun



Soil



Well-drained soils; adaptable to loam and clay



Slightly acidic to neutral pH



Avoid poorly drained or waterlogged soils



Water



Moderate; drought tolerant once established



Suitable Conditions



Performs well across temperate climates



Tolerates urban conditions and poor soils



Allow room for natural spread and dense branching



Notes



Shape: Upright to spreading, dense and thorny



Excellent early-season pollinator resource



Can be used as an informal hedge or barrier plant



Fruit may be used for preserves when ripe



Prune immediately after flowering if shaping is needed

Plant type

Flowering Shrub

Height

6-10'

Width

6-10'

Hardiness zones

5–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Flower color

Red, Salmon

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Dark Green

Attracts

Bees butterflies birds

Soil

Acidic, Clay, Loamy, Well Drained

Landscape use

Foundation Plant, Hedge

Shape

Spreading, Upright

Bark

Smooth

Fruit

Yes

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No