Chaenomeles speciosa Yukigoten - Flowering Quince

Chaenomeles speciosa 'Yukigoten' is a bush with reddish foliage during the bud burst period. The foliage bears thorny stems and turns a soft green when mature In spring. It produces creamy-white, fragrant, double flowers.

Originally from Asia, this vigorous 1 m (3 ft to 4 ft) tall hardy spreading bush has flexible and thorny branches. It bears deciduous, alternate, ovate, dentate leaves that are 3 cm to 8 cm (1.2 in to 3.1 in) long. The foliage is initially reddish and then dark green and glossy when ripe. In April, it produces creamy-white, fragrant double flowers, which are 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter. The green-yellow autumn fruits, shaped like quinces and 6 cm (2.4 in) in diameter, are sweetly fragrant and can be used to make jelly.

Chaenomeles speciosa 'Yukigoten' is not very demanding and can grow in any well-drained soil, in a sunny spot without intense sunlight or in part shade. To maintain a compact habit, prune the branches that have flowered just above the lower branch or an eye. On espaliered bushes, cut back the branches to a few buds from the main branch in May.

Chaenomeles speciosa 'Yukigoten' can be used as a standalone plant, in a pot, or as a border plant alongside Primula vulgaris or Aquilegia alpina. It can also be trained against a wall. Cananga essence (similar to ylang-ylang) is extracted for perfume production. As a medicinal plant, its seeds are used to treat diarrhoea.