Chaenomeles speciosa Flocon Rose - Flowering Quince

Chaenomeles speciosa 'Flocon Rose' is a delightful variety of Japanese quince that is covered in delicate pink flowers during its early spring flowering season. It is a deciduous bush, with few thorns, and a slightly spreading habit, which also produces small quinces that ripen in autumn. Easy to incorporate into a loose hedge, this decorative variety is a lovely addition to a small garden. Its flowering branches are stunning in bouquets.

Chaenomeles speciosa 'Flocon Rose' is derived from C. speciosa, a thorny bush native to China and belonging to the Rosaceae family. Robust and hardy, this species grows well in any deep and loose soil, whether acidic or calcareous, in full sun or partial shade. The 'Flocon Rose' variety forms a large bush approximately 2m (7ft) tall and wide by the age of 10. Its flowering occurs from late March to early May, depending on the climate, on bare branches. It lasts for 3 to 4 weeks. The honey-rich flowers, shaped like cups and reaching 4cm (2in) in diameter, are composed of overlapping petals. Their colour varies from pale-pink to rosy-white. The corolla opens to reveal a heart of yellow stamens. The flowers are carried on very short pedicels in groups of 3 to 5 on the previous year's branches. This flowering is followed by the formation of small quinces, 5 to 6cm (2in) in size. They are initially green, becoming yellow and aromatic when ripe. They are edible after cooking. The leaves develop after the flowers and are narrow to lanceolate, measuring 3 to 9cm (1 to 4in) in length and 1.5 to 5cm (1 to 2in) in width, with a beautiful shining green colour on their upper surface. The deciduous foliage turns yellow and falls in autumn.

Japanese quinces, like forsythias and Japanese kerrias, bring us beautiful flowers in their simplicity, so eagerly awaited after a long winter. They are comfortable in all climates, as they are not afraid of heat or cold. They can be grown both as solitary plants or in a flowering hedge or border. The 'Flocon Rose' variety pairs well with fragrant bushes such as winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima), which precedes it, rugosa roses (Rosa 'Hansa', R. rugosa 'Rubra', etc.), and white lilacs that will take over after its flowering, followed by the blooming of butterfly bushes. It can also be trained against a wall, near the house, paired with a winter jasmine, to enjoy it with every passing.

Uses, properties:

Japanese quince was once used to make the fragrant Cananga Essence, which has an aroma reminiscent of ylang-ylang extract, known as Cananga Odorata.

The bitter and astringent raw fruits are not suitable for consumption as they are. However, once cooked, they are edible and can be used in jellies or jams.

In Chinese medicine, dried fruits are used, among other things, for their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic, and liver-protecting properties.