Quince Trees

Quince trees – Cydonia oblongata – are related to both apples and pears and like those fruit have a long history of cultivation. Originating in Persia (Iran) and Anatolia; the quince is possibly native to Greece and the Crimea as well.

Quince trees make an excellent addition to the garden, being both decorative and productive. They shouldn’t be confused with the ornamental quince, Chaenomeles, a flowering shrub frequently grown as a wall shrub. Chaenomeles is related to both Cydonia oblonga and the Chinese quince, Pseudocydonia sinensis.

Quince can be grown as an ‘ordinary’ bush tree or trained as an espalier or fan against a wall. They also grow quite happily in a large pot for many years. They can be found on semi-dwarfing rootstock, Quince A; and will reach 3 – 4 m depending on training and pruning. The dwarfing rootstock, Quince C will restrict them to 2 – 3 m.

Quince Trees – scented blossom, aromatic fruit

In the spring quince trees are covered with attractive blossom. The pink buds open to cup shaped white flowers, with a slight twist to the petals, which makes them highly decorative.

The developing fruit are covered with a grey fur, which gradually rubs off as the quinces ripen. Harvesting takes place in October and November and the quinces, like pears and some apple varieties, need a further couple of weeks to fully mature once picked.

Generally golden yellow in colour, quinces are possibly the original ‘golden apples’ of Greek legends and Norse sagas. The quince was considered to be sacred to Venus / Aphrodite, the goddess of love in Roman / Greek mythology and as such were a regular part of wedding feasts in the Middle Ages. Highly fragrant in warmer climates, the quince still has a recognisable fragrance in temperate zones. Redolent of apples, pears, and peaches with an underlying spiciness, the aroma is increased by cooking the fruit.

Quince Trees in the Garden

As garden trees, quinces give generously, being both decorative through spring, summer and autumn and also productive with an edible crop. They are suitable for planting in large containers in patio gardens and courtyards; as part of a small domestic orchard perhaps planted with apples, pears and medlar.

They can be trained as espalier fruit trees or fan shaped, to be grown against a wall or fence. But are more often found as standard bush shaped trees, as they tend not to make as large fruit tree as some of the other top fruits. I prefer quince as free standing small trees, their spreading branches laden with fruit as they swoop low over the border.

The leaves will drop after harvest, as it is a deciduous tree, so you could plant spring flowering bulbs like snowdrops underneath, which would give you four seasons of interest.

As for care and maintenance, Quince trees need very little pruning and are fairly healthy. In wet summers they may suffer from brown rot, which is a fungal disease affecting top fruit. So you will also see it on apples, pears, plums, cherries, nectarines, peaches, apricots. Rotting fruit are found from mid-summer onwards.

The treatment is simple; remove infected fruit and any fallen leaves. Do not put in your ordinary compost bin unless you can generate high temperatures needed to kill the pathogens. There is no chemical control commercially available.

Quince Trees – harvest time

And if you do grow a quince tree in your garden, and pick the fruit harvest; store for up to six weeks in a cool place with the fruit kept separate from each other, you will have richly scented golden apples. These quinces can be sliced and eaten poached and baked, when the pale flesh turns pink and the aroma will wow your guests. Eaten raw it is not as appetising, except in warmer climates, where the slightly coarse pulpy texture softens and is a treat to eat the scented flesh. This tropical country fruit may even have been the forbidden apple in the Garden of Eden, and no wonder Eve was tempted by the rich fragrance and taste.

We are not in Eden, but for more on eating the Quince fruit that you’ve grown in your garden, read the linked blog, Quince cheese.

And there are other tips and tricks, some of which can be found in other Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below, our monthly Tipsheet and regularly on Instagram and Facebook

Making your life easier and enabling you to enjoy your garden is part of what we discuss when we come to design your garden and give gardening lessons in your garden.