Fleeting Beauties: The Flowering Quinces

Chaenomeles, or flowering quince, are a group of flowering shrubs that are almost in full-flower at the Scott Arboretum. The flowering quinces are one of those old-fashioned shrubs like lilac, hydrangea and spirea that are enjoying resurgence in popularity right now. Maybe the reason is that most of the plants in these groups are tough as nails, and to a new generation of home gardeners, they are “new” plants.

The quince collection by Bond Memorial Hall. photo credit: J. Jabco

The types of flowering quinces mainly used in landscaping are from three groups: Chaenomeles speciosa (common flowering quince), C. japonica (Japanese flowering quince) and Chaenomeles x superba (a hybrid between C. speciosa and C. japonica). All of these are multi-stemmed shrubs forming a dense, twiggy mass of branches with occasional spines. Some selections have an upright growing habit while others have a more spreading habit. C. speciosa could grow to 6-10 feet high and wide; C. japonica to 2-3 feet high and wide; and the hybrid, C. x superba, is intermediate between the two at 4-5 feet high and wide. All species, and their numerous cultivars, flower in late March through April in white, red, scarlet, orange, peach or various shades of pink.

C. speciosa 'Rubra Grandiflora' in bloom. photo credit: J. Jabco

The Scott Arboretum has 24 different cultivars or species. The collection, just next to Bond parking lot and near the Benjamin West Visitor Center, has been flowering spectacularly the past two years. The collection had been neglected, but several hardy gardeners and Arboretum Assistants armed themselves with safety glasses, long-sleeves and long pants and performed major rejuvenation on the collection just after flowering. All of the old stems were cut to the ground, and the diameter of each plant was reduced so plants weren’t growing into each other. A few young, well-spaced stems were saved. It took just a few years for the plants to grow to the mature flowering beauties they are now. The annual maintenance will now consist of removing to the ground several of the oldest, tallest stems from each plant once flowering has finished.

From left: C. x superba 'Corallina', C. speciosa 'Nivalis', and C. x superba 'Fruticosa Alba' . photo credit: J. Jabco

While flowering quince is a one-season charmer, it is the perfect plant to grow clematis through for flowering in the summertime. Any clematis cultivar that ultimately would reach 6-10 feet long would be ideal in this situation.

Stop by and check out this wonderful flowering show, but do it soon. As with most spring plants, the show doesn’t last forever…..