Quince

hwalkerh

Hello

I have what i think it a quince plant in the garden. I think it is pretty dull and ugly and seems to be growning out all sides of the brick built flower bed it is in.

Just wondered if what people think of them and if they are useful for anything as they seem to have fruit. I am thinking about getting rid and planting something nicer in its place as we only have a small garden.

thanks

conradmum

I think you probably need to establish what it is first. How long have you lived there? Have you seen the plant through all the seasons? Some plants look great for just one or two seasons of the year and but are worth keeping because when they do look good, they look really good.

Here's an ornamental quince



Although the flowers are usually red.

I'm assuming this is what you mean when you say it's a quince because if it were a fruiting quince it would be a tree, not a shrub.

If you've seen whatever it is you have for a whole year and still don't like it, take it out.

If you post on here with the position, soil type etc. as well as what kind of thing you like, I'm sure you'll get some suggestions for a replacement.

On the question of the fruit, I'm surprised it has any on this time of year if it is a quince. I have a fruiting one and it dropped all its fruit months ago. Whether ornamental or fruiting, the fruit you get is only edible if you have the time and knowhow to process it.

I'm wondering if you have a fig. That would retain its fruit over the winter, though they wouldn't be fit for much. That might explain it being grown in a brick bed too.

This is a fig



This might be worth keeping for the fruit, but maybe not if you don't have much space. They can grow quite big over time.

hwalkerh

I've lived in the house for 2 years now. It is a shrub quince, and has little orange 1inch fruit in the summer. I think it flowers but only a tiny bit, it generally looks very woody. I have a feeling it might be past its best or a bit restricted as the soil is only about 6 inches deep which is probably why it is growing out sideways.

I think it has to go.
thanks

Zanderman

Most 'quince' shrubs are actually Japanese Quince - which has fruits but they're not edible - it's grown for its flowers only.

True quinces are a different species - and their fruit is edible, sort of (you have to leave it for ages to become soft - though it has uses as a tannin source in wines, jams etc). People do get the 2 quinces mixed up - so quince fruits, which are an acquired taste at the best of times, get an even worse reputation.

If yours is a shrub then it's probably a Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles) - and should be regarded as an ornamental. Some flower continously (we have one that's been flowering, on and off, all winter despite the snow)

conradmum

hwalkerh wrote: »

I've lived in the house for 2 years now. It is a shrub quince, and has little orange 1inch fruit in the summer. I think it flowers but only a tiny bit, it generally looks very woody. I have a feeling it might be past its best or a bit restricted as the soil is only about 6 inches deep which is probably why it is growing out sideways.

I think it has to go.
thanks

I agree, whip it out. In a bed only 6 inches deep, it's hard to think what could replace it. You could either just have bedding plants every year, or some of the shrubby herbs would probably do okay. Or lavender.

Money_maker

Zanderman wrote: »

Most 'quince' shrubs are actually Japanese Quince - which has fruits but they're not edible - it's grown for its flowers only.

The fruit on these IS edible and makes the most delicious quince jam (although you need a lot!). I also have a 'proper' quince tree.