Chaenomeles × superba
| Chaenomeles × superba | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Width: | 7' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Late Winter-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Chaenomeles × superba (common name: dwarf quince)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sheltered position outdoors or in a cold frame[1]. Sow stored seed in February in a greenhouse[2]. Germination usually takes place within 6 weeks[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. If well grown, these seedling can be large enough to plant out in the summer, but give them some protection in their first winter. Otherwise plant them out in late spring of the following year[K]. This species is a hybrid and so will not breed true from seed.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[3]. Easy[4].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, November in a cold frame.
Layering in late spring or in autumn. This is a sure and easy method, though it takes 12 months[2][1].
Cultivation: Easily cultivated in any reasonably good soil[5][3]. Prefers a deep moist well-drained loam[3]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates full shade but requires a sunny position for best fruit production[6][3][1]. Becomes chlorotic on very alkaline soils[1]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[1].
Plants are hardy to about -25°c[1].
A very ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[1][7].
A good bee plant, flowering early in the year and providing pollen and nectar[8].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[1].
Range: A hybrid of garden origin, C. japonica x C. speciosa.
Habitat: Not known in the wild.
Edibility: Fruit - very harsh and acid raw but fragrant when cooked. Used for jams, jellies etc and as a flavouring with cooked apples[K]. The fruit can be apple or pear-shaped and up to 6cm long x 6cm wide[1].
Usage: Plants can be grown to make a medium sized hedge[1].
Some cultivars, such as 'Crimson and Gold' produce suckers prolifically and are suitable for ground cover[9].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Simmons, Alan. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles, 1972.
- ↑ Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association, 1981.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.