Quick Guide: spring, hardy, full sun, height: 90cm/3ft, width: 1.5m/5ft

There are four species of chaenomeles in cultivation, collectively known as flowering quinces. They bear red, pink or white flowers like apple blossom, followed by small round yellow fruits. The plants, though attractive, have an untidy habit of growth and look best in an informal garden.

GROWING Plant from autumn to spring in any type of soil, even clay, in a sunny position or against a wall. In the open, the only pruning necessary is the thinning of overcrowded branches after flowering. If grown against a wall, cut back the previous season's growth to 2-3 buds after flowering.

PROPAGATION By layering. Alternatively take 10cm/4in cuttings of lateral shoots with a heel in late summer. Insert in a peat/sand mixture in a propagator at 16°C/61°F. When rooted pot up the cuttings individually and overwinter in a cold frame. Plant out in the spring.

SPECIES C. japonica (Maule's quince), spreading shrub, coral-red flowers; named varieties include `Brilliant', scarlet flowers. C. speciosa syn. C. lagenaria (Japanese quince), widely grown species, 1.8 x 1.8m/6 x 6ft in the open, higher on a wall, very early flowering. Named varieties include `Apple Blossom', double pink flowers; `Crown of Gold', deep red with showy yellow stamens; `Fascination', orange; `Nivalis', white.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Birds may damage flowers; chlorosis on very alkaline soils.