Most mornings, I am out of the house within 10 minutes of being awake, having persuaded a snoring hound to give up his corner of the duvet for the promise of being happily chased by a randomly encountered dog, and a breakfast of rabbit poo. A few minutes from the sea, we pass a narrow garden where the postie has to duck to keep the lowest branches of a Japanese quince from dislodging his wooly hat. Over the last 6 weeks, this tree, 12 feet at its peak, has flooded with pale blossom and tight buds. Every few days its hair seems to have grown.
Despite the magical fruit and that scent, I think this maybe the reason I love them most - lifting the heart just when you need it, when winter won't quite let go
Love the Victorian varieties! I have both the salmon ,and the quince shrubs. They are not for the faint of heart, or a small garden. One of mine is twelve by Fifteen feet across, and wants to be bigger. Baltimore Orioles, and hummingbirds, appear as the blossoms open. It was a duh moment when I decided to make jam. My recipe search took me to Boston School of Cooking circa A1940, which actually had info, and several recipe suggestions. I’m having quince jam on my toast this morning, made with a touch of nutmeg. Yummy.
How magical! And what a fertile spot you must have too - mine is make 4ft across and not even 3 feet tall and it's quite old but the soil is quite ordinary quite by the house. I love the sound of that book!
Soil? I’ve been working on that for 35+ years. Someone else, in the landscaping business, once said I must have really good soil. Not really. I’m sort of an organic gardener, not relgious, just common sense. When I fertilize, its with composted manure. I “naturalized” long ago, ( I was too busy in other people’s gardens, to pull weeds. Turns out, now I culivate those weeds. When we built here 35 yrs ago, this was a cornfield with no loam. My secret to soil building? Leave those leaves! As for my gigantic salmon quince? I believe my cats. should take all the credit. Also love. I love love love that thorny shrub! Despite drought, insects and nasty cold in winter, it displays beautifully in April. Don’t you think love is responsible, for making all living things thrive?
As John Lennon almost said, love is all the gigantic salmon quince needs. And the ret of us too. I couldn't agree more on all things you say, and thank you for saying them. Cultivating the weeds is really the truth!
We have a small suburban garden and this year I’ve went even more into purchasing perennials,seeds,trees annuals etc My sister got a house last year and I’ve been allowed to do the planting, ( I’m Tweed2006 on Instagram) my passion is for growing and harvesting, especially cut flowers although I do a bit of vegetable, fruit and herbs . The majority of herbs is mainly because of you and your books, thank you. I’m coming to Jekkas herbfest on the Saturday . This year I’ve went slightly bonkers on anything to do with our gardens( I’ve got the use of mums garden too !) Happy days !
It sounds like you are having a lot of fun in your (and your sister's!) garden! And I'm very much with you on the perennials. Hope to see you at Jekkas!
I bought the beautiful Crimson and Gold from you a couple of years ago, and was give a pink one & a white one for my birthday the same year. They’re slowly growing toward one another to form a hedge. Too young yet for more than a couple of fruit, but I’m lucky enough to live opposite someone who gives me several baskets full of fruit from their mature plants. I’ve taken to knocking on doors when I see gardens with the glorious fruit going forgotten on the ground. The syrup & ‘paste’ (fake membrillo by another name) I make with them are absolutely delicious and invaluable during cold & cough season.
I love the sound of your neighbour and you knocking on doors! We all need more of that. I've yet to make membrillo with the ones in my garden but I shall this year for sure.
Thanks, very interesting. I’m researching. I live near self sufficient and working towards an edible landscaping project border...rather perfect I’d say.
I’ve got a red one by the front door, and a beautiful cream one against the hazel fence disguising the dreaded oil tank. The red one flowers earlier and for a longer period of time than the cream. The red faces south and the cream west north west. Only the red fruits.
A flowering twig looks so gorgeous in a vase. Instant ikebana.
How interesting about only the red one fruiting! And seemingly can only be due to lack of sun. And YES to the flowering stems - the perfect excuse to thin them out a little at this time of year
That's so beautiful. I've just been trying to think about plants that will look good Nov-Mar in the garden as there is nothing. I might have to go and buy one of these now! Thanks for sharing
I have a white flowering Japanese quince ("Nivalis") in a shady spot among other shrubs and despite rather suboptimal conditions it has been flowering for weeks now. I brought a few branches with buds inside and they bloomed nicely.
I found more varieties with red, pink, salmon pink and white-green flowers in the latest issue of Gardens Illustrated and then online. Even though I have to explore their culinary uses yet:
A neighbour gave me some Japanese quince last year. It was the first time I’ve tried them and I was surprised at their difference from a regular quince. Beautifully perfumed and floral almost - a real treat. And now that I know what the blossoms look like I think I need to expand my orchard!
Gorgeous Mark, I really want one. What kind of conditions does it like? I have a standard (?) quince in my sunny front garden and it manages to stay alive (just) but has barely grown and it has not even contemplated yielding fruit for me. Anyway, a joy!
They like it slightly on the well drained side in reasonably good sun (it can stand some shade) and can even do well in a container. The quince tree - make sure 1m circle is weed/grass free around the trunk and add a mulch of compost to keep water in, weeds out and feed it...hope it perks up!
Last year our Japanese Quince was the gift that keeps on giving. Buckets of fruit for months. We made the Deborah Madison simple compote with chilli and star anise and used it daily on porridge. Still have loads in deep freeze. Great addition to any garden.
There is a deep pink Japanese quiche which overhangs the old red brick wall of a farmhouse at the end of our lane. It lifts my heart every morning.
Despite the magical fruit and that scent, I think this maybe the reason I love them most - lifting the heart just when you need it, when winter won't quite let go
Love the Victorian varieties! I have both the salmon ,and the quince shrubs. They are not for the faint of heart, or a small garden. One of mine is twelve by Fifteen feet across, and wants to be bigger. Baltimore Orioles, and hummingbirds, appear as the blossoms open. It was a duh moment when I decided to make jam. My recipe search took me to Boston School of Cooking circa A1940, which actually had info, and several recipe suggestions. I’m having quince jam on my toast this morning, made with a touch of nutmeg. Yummy.
How magical! And what a fertile spot you must have too - mine is make 4ft across and not even 3 feet tall and it's quite old but the soil is quite ordinary quite by the house. I love the sound of that book!
Soil? I’ve been working on that for 35+ years. Someone else, in the landscaping business, once said I must have really good soil. Not really. I’m sort of an organic gardener, not relgious, just common sense. When I fertilize, its with composted manure. I “naturalized” long ago, ( I was too busy in other people’s gardens, to pull weeds. Turns out, now I culivate those weeds. When we built here 35 yrs ago, this was a cornfield with no loam. My secret to soil building? Leave those leaves! As for my gigantic salmon quince? I believe my cats. should take all the credit. Also love. I love love love that thorny shrub! Despite drought, insects and nasty cold in winter, it displays beautifully in April. Don’t you think love is responsible, for making all living things thrive?
As John Lennon almost said, love is all the gigantic salmon quince needs. And the ret of us too. I couldn't agree more on all things you say, and thank you for saying them. Cultivating the weeds is really the truth!
What a beauty. You had me at 'postie's woolly hat': I don't think there's a more agile member of the human race than the humble postie.
They would all qualify for a modern day Superstars and no mistake
It’s so red! I might pop one in my sisters garden , as we have no room .
I like the idea of colonising someone else's garden with your plants!
We have a small suburban garden and this year I’ve went even more into purchasing perennials,seeds,trees annuals etc My sister got a house last year and I’ve been allowed to do the planting, ( I’m Tweed2006 on Instagram) my passion is for growing and harvesting, especially cut flowers although I do a bit of vegetable, fruit and herbs . The majority of herbs is mainly because of you and your books, thank you. I’m coming to Jekkas herbfest on the Saturday . This year I’ve went slightly bonkers on anything to do with our gardens( I’ve got the use of mums garden too !) Happy days !
It sounds like you are having a lot of fun in your (and your sister's!) garden! And I'm very much with you on the perennials. Hope to see you at Jekkas!
I bought the beautiful Crimson and Gold from you a couple of years ago, and was give a pink one & a white one for my birthday the same year. They’re slowly growing toward one another to form a hedge. Too young yet for more than a couple of fruit, but I’m lucky enough to live opposite someone who gives me several baskets full of fruit from their mature plants. I’ve taken to knocking on doors when I see gardens with the glorious fruit going forgotten on the ground. The syrup & ‘paste’ (fake membrillo by another name) I make with them are absolutely delicious and invaluable during cold & cough season.
I love the sound of your neighbour and you knocking on doors! We all need more of that. I've yet to make membrillo with the ones in my garden but I shall this year for sure.
What are its temperature tolerances, please
Hello Patricia
It is 5 to 9 (USDA) zones...so hardy down to -25°C ish
Thanks, very interesting. I’m researching. I live near self sufficient and working towards an edible landscaping project border...rather perfect I’d say.
That sounds amazing! I hope you'll be posting about that at some point
I’ve got a red one by the front door, and a beautiful cream one against the hazel fence disguising the dreaded oil tank. The red one flowers earlier and for a longer period of time than the cream. The red faces south and the cream west north west. Only the red fruits.
A flowering twig looks so gorgeous in a vase. Instant ikebana.
How interesting about only the red one fruiting! And seemingly can only be due to lack of sun. And YES to the flowering stems - the perfect excuse to thin them out a little at this time of year
God help me but I've just ordered two more chaenomeles.
The Lord loves a working woman Nic, praise be to two more chaenomeles...
That's so beautiful. I've just been trying to think about plants that will look good Nov-Mar in the garden as there is nothing. I might have to go and buy one of these now! Thanks for sharing
They are so cheering in exactly that gloomy window
Gorgeous red blooms.
They really are aren’t they
I have a white flowering Japanese quince ("Nivalis") in a shady spot among other shrubs and despite rather suboptimal conditions it has been flowering for weeks now. I brought a few branches with buds inside and they bloomed nicely.
I found more varieties with red, pink, salmon pink and white-green flowers in the latest issue of Gardens Illustrated and then online. Even though I have to explore their culinary uses yet:
I want more of these in my garden.
Hello Hubert, I’ve been wondering about planting another and I think you might have tipped me over the edge into it being a white flowering one!
A neighbour gave me some Japanese quince last year. It was the first time I’ve tried them and I was surprised at their difference from a regular quince. Beautifully perfumed and floral almost - a real treat. And now that I know what the blossoms look like I think I need to expand my orchard!
Yes floral, and sherbetty to my mind!
Gorgeous Mark, I really want one. What kind of conditions does it like? I have a standard (?) quince in my sunny front garden and it manages to stay alive (just) but has barely grown and it has not even contemplated yielding fruit for me. Anyway, a joy!
They like it slightly on the well drained side in reasonably good sun (it can stand some shade) and can even do well in a container. The quince tree - make sure 1m circle is weed/grass free around the trunk and add a mulch of compost to keep water in, weeds out and feed it...hope it perks up!
Gorgeous blossoms!
Aren't they just - and at the most welcome time
Mark, thank you so much. This is lovely. Bless you.
Last year our Japanese Quince was the gift that keeps on giving. Buckets of fruit for months. We made the Deborah Madison simple compote with chilli and star anise and used it daily on porridge. Still have loads in deep freeze. Great addition to any garden.
What a great way to use them - which makes me wonder why I’ve been to dim to make this before when I love Deborah M too