Common Quince - Cydonia oblonga

The Common Quince, in Latin Cydonia oblonga, well known for its quinces harvested in autumn, is also a small, robust and charming tree that is not often considered for beautifying the garden. Its spring flowering covers its beautiful wide and bushy silhouette with large pink flowers, supported by slightly twisted branches. When autumn comes, its foliage turns a beautiful golden yellow before falling. The quince tree deserves to be rediscovered: it easily finds its place as a standalone tree in a small garden, even in a city, in a shrub bed, and works wonders in an informal hedge.

The Quince tree belongs to the Rosaceae family and the genus Cydonia, whereas the Japanese Quince or Flowering Quince belongs to the genus Chaenomeles. It is native to the Caucasus and northern Iran. It is cultivated in many temperate regions of the world. It is a small, vigorous and hardy tree, able to withstand temperatures down to -25°C (-13°F). Its growth is quite fast, reaching an average height of 5m (16ft) and a width of 3m (10ft), and its habit is bushy and fairly wide. The common quince is self-fertile, but fruit production will be greater in the presence of another quince tree that blooms simultaneously.

Its leaves are entire, measuring 6 to 11 cm (2 to 4in) long, with a hairy edge. They are a medium green colour, turning yellow in October. Flowering occurs in April-May depending on the region. The flowers have 5 soft pink petals and measure about 4 cm (2in) wide. After pollination, the fruits form and ripen from October 15th, depending on the region. Quinces have a pear shape and weigh up to 400 grams each. When immature, they are green and covered in a velvety fuzz. They lose this fuzz by the end of autumn when the fruit changes colour and becomes golden yellow. They are very hard fruits, with thick skin, containing firm yellow flesh that is juicy and pleasantly aromatic. The core of the fruit contains brown seeds.

Very easy to grow, the Common Quince likes sunny locations and prefers soil that is fairly rich, deep, and not excessively chalky. Very hardy.  However, it needs warmth in autumn for proper fruit ripening. As both a fruit tree and an ornamental tree, the Quince can be planted alone on a lawn, in a hedge, an orchard, or within a flower bed. Pair it with evergreen ceanothus (Ceanothus Concha), Mexican orange (Choisya Aztec Pearl), lilacs, or mock oranges, for example.