Family:	Rosaceae
Genus:	Chaenomeles
Species:	x superba
Cultivar:	‘Crimson and Gold’
Common name:	Japanese quince ‘Crimson and Gold’
Height:	1.5m
Spread:	2.5m
RHS AGM

Species is a hybrid of C. japonica (Japan) x C. speciosa (China). Cultivar introduced 1939.

Spreading deciduous shrub often grown as a wall shrub, with bright spring flowers sometimes followed by edible fruit. Height 1.5m, spread 2.5m, hardiness H6.

Leaves are rich green and glossy, obovate and very variable in size, although not usually exceeding around 5cm in length.

Borne on bare branches on ripe wood, clusters of tiny green buds open over a long period to simple flowers, five scarlet petals surrounding conspicuous golden anthers. Flowers in Feb-Mar, but with occasional sporadic bonus bursts in mild spells from September onwards. Flowers may be followed by yellow fragrant, slightly knobbly fruit which can be used in jam-making or added as a flavouring to lemonade.

Mature wood is brown and glossy with thorns.

Happy in full sun or partial shade, exposed or sheltered, and in coastal gardens. Fairly tolerant of soil type – any pH, any texture, well-drained or moist but well-drained.

Pruning should be done after flowering.

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer.

Usually grown as a wall shrub although it will make a free-standing shrub, and is useful as a hedging plant for chalky soils.

Adds a hit of springtime colour to a Japanese garden, provides early nectar for bees in a wildlife garden, encourages pollinators and provides fruit for a kitchen garden.

The main flowering period coincides with spring bulbs; an early daffodil grown at its feet (eg Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’) will highlight the golden anthers of the quince, while flowers and striped foliage of Tulipa ‘Red Riding Hood’ will perfectly mirror the quince’s petals, stems and emerging leaves.

Can be used as a support by clematis, to provide summer colour; a late-flowering viticella is ideal as it can be cut right back just before the quince flowers.