I HOPE YOU CAN FIND ROOM IN YOUR GARDEN for Chaenomeles x superba ‘Cameo.’ For three luxurious weeks each May, this flowering quince adorns itself in hundreds of peachy, fully-double, antique rose-type flowers. They are the kind of flowers which inspire poets, painters, and yes — even amateur photographers like me:
This sun-loving shrub, which blooms immediately after its brother, ‘Crimson and Gold,’ requires no care whatsoever. Give it regular watering the first summer after planting, and thereafter you need not bother. I prune mine lightly after flowering just to keep it within bounds (it can achieve a height and width of five feet).
Lovely flowers aren’t Cameo’s only value. When the stems drop their leaves in autumn, a vast quantity of edible fruit becomes apparent. If you don’t wish to cook the fruit — I’ll admit it takes quite a bit of boiling to soften the rock-hard flesh — you can simply savor its fragrance. A few golden quinces — preferably placed in a decorative bowl — will scent an entire room.
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You're flowering quince is beautiful. I have one and love it. My mom gave it to me after the bunnies in her garden tried to make a complete meal out of it. My bunnies couldn't care less about it and it's thriving. It's putting on a great show now-but I get flowers all through the year! I guess it really likes it here. I'll have to snap some photos.
Katreader – Sounds like you have a very special quince. Any idea what the variety is?
Absolutely gorgeous! That's a must-have plant!!!
Beautiful! That's my favorite color, too. Must buy this quince. The flowers do look like little roses.
Quince is one of my favorite flowering shrubs. Certainly love this one. What a shade!
I thought quince was a tropical zone plant? I live in upstate NY and would love to have this on the land. Any suggestions where to get one in the Catskill area? Is now a good time to plant it? Many thanks!!
Kristina – You can certainly grow this great shrub in the Catskill area! Check with your local, independent garden center. If they don’t have it, they should be willing to order it for you.