Can I grow Quinces in Scotland?

signs_of_recovery

I love quinces, but find them difficult to get hold of where I live, so I'm considering splashing out and buying a quince tree/bush.
I've come up against a brick wall though because I can't find a variety that I can be sure will grow where I live.
The ones I've seen so far say that they are fine in the South of England, but by the time they get to Yorkshire, they need a sunny wall. There's no mention of Scotland at all, and I don't want to inadvertantly commit quincicide! (not least because it wouldn't be very moneysaving!) Can anyone help with advice on varieties, if any?

Davesnave

Hmmm.....You don't say where in Scotland. The West Coast near sea level is warmer than the East Riding, I'd imagine.

Anyway, these people are listed as selling quinces, so you could give them a call:

J Tweedie Fruit Trees
Maryfield Road Nursery
Terregles
Dumfries
DG2 9TH


01387 720880

My quince fruited this autumn, but with the rubbishy summer, it was touch & go whether it would make it. A lot of the fruit split. Not sure which variety it is, but I suspect 'Vranja.'

laurel7172

You could try a Japanese quince/Northern lemon.

http://cooltemperate.co.uk/quinces.shtml

If they survive in Latvia, they'd manage Scotland, I should think.

QueenBee

We have a quince bush - with friuts on but what can I make with them? Any ideas welcome!!

ukmaggie45

We just bought a new (to us) house, and there's a quince in the front garden (identified from photos and description by Davesnave and a lady from New Zealand!). I googled for quince, and it said (wikipedia?) that quince needs cold winter to set fruit (or was it to flower well?). There are quite a few different kinds as well - the one in the front garden appears to be evergreen (still has leaves on it now), but there's an ornamental quince in the back garden and that's not evergreen (only bare stems at the mo).

QueenBee, quince jelly is supposed to be really nice. I imagine there's plenty of recipes on the net. I believe Davesnave poaches them - maybe he'll drop by again and leave a recipe!

Davesnave

The quince I'm referring to is Cydonia oblonga, (I knew it would come down to Latin in the end!;)) QueenBee, if your quince has leaves or fruit on it now, it is likely to be a variety of Chaenomeles, which is related, but not the same.

Chaenomeles succeed in colder climates and are used more for jam/jelly making, while Cydonia varieties may be poached, like pears, but I suppose both could be used as pie fillings.

When I poached my quinces, I think the recipe came from the internet and it was a bit slap dash, but next time I'll be more organised. (DW got me a lot of cookery books/equipt for Xmas!) As I recall, I stuck them in the slow oven of the Aga for some hours in a thin sugar syrup solution with a cinnamon stick and lemon juice/rind. Not sure if there was anything else added. Sorry!:o

Anyway, the result was pretty good, eaten with a decent vanilla ice cream.:D