Jet Trail Flowering Quince

Compact spreading deciduous flowering quince, Chaenomeles x superba hybrid (C. japonica x C. speciosa). Sport of Texas Scarlet. Dense bushy densely-branched form with often-tangled spiny-tipped twigs. Blooms on old growth. Tolerates poor soil, quite drought resistant once established. Hardy to minus 20°F. Adapts to wide range of soil conditions including clay, provided good drainage. Susceptible to fungal leaf spot in heavy spring rainfall, fireblight and scab in some areas, aphids on new growth, chlorosis in high pH soils.

Pure white five-petaled single flowers (1.5 inches diameter) with prominent golden anthers in small clusters. Blooms profusely for weeks in early spring on bare leafless branches before glossy oval green leaves emerge. Foliage emerges red, matures to medium green. Small fragrant greenish-yellow fruits (2 inches across, 5 cm) ripen early fall. Edible but too bitter to eat fresh - used for preserves and jellies. Seeds contain toxins so should be removed. Branches can be cut late winter and forced to bloom indoors.