Japanese flowering quince Chaenomeles speciosa
Japanese flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Rosaceae family, native to China. It grows 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -28 °C (-18 °F). Space plants about 1.8 m (5.9 ft) apart.
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Japanese flowering quince at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.8 m (5.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -28 °C (-18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 33 °C (91 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (cooked; jelly, preserves) |
| Native to | China |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Japanese flowering quince toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Fruit is edible cooked; thorny stems can injure, and no pet toxicity is documented.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Japanese flowering quince
Good neighbours
- good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Wall cotoneaster: Chaenomeles and Cotoneaster are both pome-fruit relatives that can host fireblight, so the disease can move between them in warm, wet spring weather. Evidence B
Shared pests and diseases
- Fire blight: Fire blight bacteria are carried by bees and rain between apples, pears, quince, hawthorn, cotoneaster and firethorn. Evidence B
- Cedar-apple rust: The rust needs both a juniper and an apple-family host; spores travel hundreds of metres. Evidence B
Questions about Japanese flowering quince
- How far apart should I plant Japanese flowering quince?
- About 1.8 m (5.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Japanese flowering quince need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Japanese flowering quince need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Japanese flowering quince?
- It tolerates about -28 °C (-18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Japanese flowering quince flower?
- From about April for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Japanese flowering quince poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Fruit is edible cooked; thorny stems can injure, and no pet toxicity is documented.
- What grows well with Japanese flowering quince?
- Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Thorny; flowers open before or with the first leaves; hybrids with C. japonica are common.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata