 |
| From In the Garden |
My choice for this month's Plant of the Month is Flowering Quince. The choice was difficult for me because the daffodils are absolutely outstanding this year, as are the star magnolias and the kerrias, but it finally had to come down to length of bloom and impact in the garden.
The quince are the earliest flowering blooming shrubs in my garden next to the witch hazels. And while I find the witch hazels to be a bit fickle, the quince never fails to bloom and bloom big. They are the red shrubs you see all around town and boy do they shine. I can't think of another red blooming shrub so the quince really stands out. If you can think of one that blooms in the spring let me know. The red is most welcomed this time of year.
There are several different cultivars available and you can find quince flowering in shades of oranges, pinks, reds, and whites. In my garden I grow three types: Chaenomeles japonica 'Rubra' (pictured above), Chaenomeles speciosa 'Texas Scarlet' (which fruited last year!), and Chaenomeles x superba 'Jet Trail' (a white flowering type). All three are reliable and easy to grow plants in my garden; which is sun challenged. That being said though, quince would really like full sun. Quince does not seem to be picky about soil and can tolerate drought well. They can grow rather large (8'-10' tall and wide) and need some room to spread for best effect. There is one down side to these shrubs, they have thorns. Like most fruiting plants (think raspberries, blackberries and gooseberries) these plants grow thorns which are probably to help protect the fruit but ouch if you are trying to weed around a quince. Be sure to site your plant accordingly.
What is your choice Plant of the Month in your garden?
in the garden....
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,
In the Garden
Your quince blooms are wonderful. I don't think I've seen those before.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your blooming gardens.
FlowerLady
Tina girl that is one eye candy shrub ! I have thought about those too and the witch hazle .. space is a huge issue though .. and for goodness sake I am having a nightmare of a time trying to find that special tree that some one can get me from the garden centers/nurseries !!!
ReplyDeleteHey .. that is almost a Halloween colour girl ! wink wink
Does it have a scent? I've alway thought this bush is really pretty.
ReplyDeleteQuince does sparkle in the garden. Our weather has been so lovely the past few days. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteSuch pretty blooms! My choice has to be Bluebonnets! Mine are getting so pretty I just stand and stare! :) I am so happy with the decision to put them around the new tree. Post coming soon!
ReplyDeleteI love the flowering quince! I had one at a previous home that was a passalong cutting that grew huge during the time that I lived there (20 years). They do remind me on my childhood, too.
ReplyDeleteMy phlox subulata is even MORE grand right now than when I posted about it. Those in my photos are now HUGE and absolutely covered in blooms.
I think the cold, wet winter worked some magic as this is one of the most colorful springs for redbuds, dogwoods and other blooms that I've seen so far.
Tina,
ReplyDeleteCoker Arboretum has all the quinces you described and also an apricot quince. Our flowering plant of the month would have to be Eastern Redbud, grows as a native here and right now there is nowhere in paradise you can't see a redbud in bloom!
Gorgeous quince blooms! Great pick for the POM. I was some quince bonsai a while back really stunning. I think it's probably one of the more underrates trees.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you ever pick just one bloom of the month but this is certainly a beautiful choice!
ReplyDeleteYour quince flowers are gorgeous, Tina! My quince doesn't usually bloom until much later. But I agree they will withstand poor soil--mine is planted near the garage, and I never do anything to it except prune it each year.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning everyone! Boy, did I sleep well last night but tons of things to do today to get caught up. Price one pays for taking off for a few days...
ReplyDeleteWe had dwarf type quince at a rental house we lived in while in Texas. My grandmother had a very large Quince. She called it her Japonica Bush and it was beautiful every year. It was red so I think the one you are showing today Tina! I should have one to carry on the memories of that bush but those thorns, ouch...
Blogger is acting funky today so I'm going to get on and off here pretty quick. The garden (more specifically weeds and wandering plants) are calling me:)
ReplyDeleteEveryone have a great day!
Didn't know much about this shrub. Very pretty. My plant of the month would be the Iris that I featured today--smells like root beer.
ReplyDeleteHey Tina, blogger is acting up for me too. Keeps telling me my comments can't be displayed on some sites. Your site is working ok. Sorry you couldn't get the pictures on mine.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
It is very lovely and does shine enough that it looks like the blooms are coated with wax. Very, very pretty. Hope it lasts a couple of more weeks so I can see it in person!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe wedding date has been set for nearly 2 years and now can you believe it is only 10 days away. Unreal.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi all. Very pretty shrub Tina. I've always admired this plant. Red would be my choice.
ReplyDeleteMy azaleas are bursting with blooms now. Most pretty. Iris are starting, one open, waiting on the others as each will be a different color.
Jean I sure would like to have been there so I could meet you & the other bloggers that I haven't met but we have to deal with our situation.
I hope everyone is having a glorious day.
Welcome back Skeeter.
I love this plant of the month share. These are gorgeous blooms. Mine will have to be the Crocus I shared in my photo of the week at my blog.
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring
thats a great shot. Never realised Quince had such nice flowers, always thought of them as a fruit!! Thanks for sharing. My choice of plant of the month. Chives, they taste great fresh from the garden with omelette.
ReplyDeleteLovely color! Do you remember my quince tree in England? We made Quince jelly with the fruit. Does yours produce fruit for cooking too?
ReplyDeleteHmm, maybe it's too early to pick a plant for April. I'm hoping more will be blooming by the end of the month. But right now I'm charmed with the blue chionodoxa scattered around the yard. And the mini daffodils - they are so cute!
ReplyDeleteThere's no way I could be a plant of the month for April, unless it's iris! I don't have Quince but agree it's a great shrub. There's one that has white, pink, and darker pink flowers all together that I have long wanted to get.
ReplyDeleteThat is one juicy and fruity looking plant! So I'm curious about the fruit. Is quince the one that really needs to be cooked to be enjoyed?
ReplyDeleteMy April plant would have to be my new friend Heather. So excited to finally own one!
They have been beautiful this year...The best ever although I haven't any in my garden, I've noticed them in neighbors...I wonder if it was the cold or the extra rain...gail
ReplyDeleteJen, Yes, I do think quince does need to be cooked. It can be sour.
ReplyDeleteMy plant of choice? It snowed on Easter. (sigh) Some nice Georgia sunshine would be welcome. I live in the High Desert of Nevada. For now, I'm just happy to see the tulips are coming up!
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are beautiful.
Hi Debbie and welcome! I hope spring arrives to the desert soon!
ReplyDeleteYou've got a beautiful choice of plant for the month of April.
ReplyDeleteI like those gorgeous red petals of quince.
I do love quince--they have been on my shrub list for a while now. Unfortunately, the one nursery I tend to go to for shrubs only has pastel kinds and I def. want a bright deep color, like the one you show. Do they get the quince berries, too? My mom used to make jelly with those.
ReplyDeleteHi Patrice, I visited your blog and want to welcome you to blogging. I was unable to leave a comment and tried for a very long time. I could not find a way to email you so I hope you see this comment and let me know what I am doing wrong. Glad you like the quince.
ReplyDeleteMonica, This is 'Rubra' and it is dark red. 'Texas Scarlet' is also dark red. Look for those two cultivars for sure. Last year the Texas Scarlet did fruit but I'm not sure if this is a normal thing for these quince. I'd love it if they do it again though. Quince jelly would be fabulous. I actually had a small taste in school and it was unique. Good luck finding you one.
ReplyDelete