Quince comes in two forms, the flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa), a shrub with early blooming, showy flowers and the small fruiting quince tree (Cydonia oblonga). There are a number of reasons to include either in the landscape, but do quince trees make good hedges, in particular, the fruiting type? If so, how do you grow a quince fruit tree hedge? Read on to find out about making and growing a fruiting quince hedge.
Do Quince Trees Make Good Hedges?
Flowering quince is spectacular for a few weeks in late winter to early spring, but a single specimen may seem little more than a tangle of thorny branches. A hedge of quince trees as a mass planting will be even more spectacular early in the season when still yearning for flowers and growing plants. A hedge of flowering or fruiting quince trees makes a perfect screening or security barrier with its spreading form and spiny branches (flowering type). Plus, quince is easy to care for, adaptable, and hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9.
How to Grow a Quince Tree Fruit Hedge
Growing a fruiting quince tree hedge requires very little effort or care. Quince is a nearly indestructible, deciduous shrub or tree that grows to 5 to 10 feet (1.5-3 m.) in height and width. It will grow in almost any soil provided it has good drainage and is not overly fertile. Quince tolerates many types of soil with a pH of anywhere from slightly alkaline to acidic. It is very tolerant to no bearing on flowering or fruit set. Quince can be grown in full sun to partial shade and once established, is quite drought tolerant. The lovely early blooming flowers are followed by yellow edible fruit. Yes, if you were wondering, the fruit of flowering quince is also edible, just smaller, harder, and tarter than those of fruiting quince trees. When making a quince hedge, you can stick with the same cultivar or mix it up. The intoxicating aroma of the fruit as it ripens indoors smells heavenly. The fruit itself is nutrient rich: full of vitamin C (more than in a lemon!) along with the elements potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, sodium, calcium, and rich in fruit acids. Some quince aficionados swear by jump starting their day with a puree of quince run through a sieve and then sweetened with honey and diluted to taste. Doesn’t sound like a bad way to start the day at all.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our most popular eBook "How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes."
FAQs
With its thorny habit and relatively short bloom season, flowering quince is not a great specimen plant, but the best place to plant these shrubs is en masse along borders or as an informal barrier hedge. In large mixed borders, it can provide an early spring accent.
How many years does it take for a quince tree to bear fruit? ›
Years to bear fruit: Quince trees from seeds should yield fruit within five years. Trees grown from cuttings will begin to produce fruit even sooner. We purchases ours in a one gallon container, and hope to see fruit in a couple to three years.
How do you start a quince bush? ›
Plant your flowering quince during the winter months, while it's dormant, in a hole twice as wide as the root ball. Place the plant no deeper in the ground than it was in its nursery pot. Water deeply and regularly until the roots are established (usually during the first growing season).
What is the best soil for quince tree? ›
Quinces prefer a slightly alkaline soil pH of 6.5-7.0. They grow in many soil types but do best in deep, very loamy soil. Steer clear of soils that are poorly drained.
Do quince bushes spread? ›
A hedge of Flowering Quince in full bloom can be a very striking burst of coral in the grey days of early Spring. This deciduous, broadly spreading shrub grows anywhere from 6 to 10 feet tall and spreads as wide.
Where is the best place to plant quince? ›
Plant new quince trees between November and March, while they are dormant. Choose a warm, sunny, sheltered spot, as the flowers open early so are susceptible to frost damage, and sun is needed for the fruit to ripen. Avoid planting in a spot prone to late frosts.
Is quince worth growing? ›
A few quince varieties might be sweet enough to eat off a tree, but usually they're too tart to eat raw. They are great for jams, jellies, preserves and syrups; mellower when cooked; make a nice addition to the apples in an apple pie; and can be used as the base for candies.
Do squirrels eat quince? ›
Apples gone. Cherries gone. I was reduced to buying local fruit at the farmers market, a sad comedown for somebody who has been tending fruit trees for the last decade. Fortunately, it turns out that squirrels don't like quinces.
How big does a quince bush get? ›
The common flowering quince (C. speciosa), frequently used in informal hedges, bears red, pink, or white flowers and grows to about 2 metres (6.6 feet).
Does quince like sun or shade? ›
It is tolerant of shade but will flower the most if placed in full sun. When mature this plant is mildly drought tolerant. Flowering quince is a showy plant in multiple ways. Around March and into April it will flower profusely with medium-sized, scarlet-red blooms.
Granular, liquid or stake type fertilizers can be used. Granular types should be worked into the soil around the plant at a rate of 2 pounds or 2 pints per 100 square feet of planting bed.
Are quince hard to grow? ›
This fruiting tree can be easy to grow because it requires little maintenance and care. It's a hardy plant that's also hard to kill. Where do quince trees grow best? The common quince tree is adaptable to many soils though it thrives in well-draining, fertile soil.
Do quince have deep roots? ›
Because flowering quinces develop deep root systems, they are very drought-tolerant once established. However, new plants should be watered regularly during dry spells to keep the soil evenly moist.
What is the best type of quince tree? ›
The best known varieties of this kind are Meeches Prolific and Vranja. The flesh is quite gritty and astringent. When cooked they break up quickly and develop a pink or orange colour. They are the best varieties for quince jelly and cheese making.
Do quince grow on trees or bushes? ›
Quince is the name given to the Cydonia oblonga tree's fruit and the common name of the tree itself. It's a small tree that can grow to 15 to 20 feet tall and wide. Quince is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that's great for beginners because it thrives with little effort and is relatively hard to kill.
How big do quince bushes get? ›
How to Grow and Care for Japanese Quince
| Common Name | Japanese quince, japonica, dwarf quince, Maule's quince, ornamental Japanese flowering quince |
|---|
| Botanical Name | Chaenomeles japonica |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Plant Type | Shrub |
| Mature Size | 2-3 ft. tall, 3-6 ft. wide |
7 more rowsFeb 6, 2024
This fruit known as a quince is considered as one of the oldest fruits in the world. These plants are not native to New England, however, they are not considered to be an invasive species in the area.
Does quince grow fast? ›
In growth the Quince is a fairly modestly growing tree and isn't especially vigorous. Mature dimensions vary a lot according to the soil it is grown in but a height estimate between 8-14' is normal and the spread is about the same.
