Chinese Quince. This fascinating large shrub to small tree has white to pale pink apple blossom-like flowers in spring followed by fragrant large pear-like fruit in the fall which will weigh several pounds each. Place the fruit in a bowl and the whole house will have a fruity fragrance. Native to China. When this plant reaches some age, the bark will begin to exfoliate exposing various tones of brown and gray ,similar to Lacebark Elm and Japanese Stewartia, with a fluted trunk. The fall color is yellow to red and many leaves will persist until almost the new year. A great small tree to 20' which can elicit much comment when it is covered in its gigantic fruit. I was first introduced to this species when a close neighbor brought some fruit by the nursery along with some jam which she had made from them. The fruit is quite hard and tart, so jam is the most logical way to make good use of the produce. In Japan it is a very popular bonsai subject as one of the pictures demonstrates.
Zones 5-8
