Chaenomeles are wonderful plants — with all the allure of spring blossom, but on a scale as suitable for pots and containers as borders. This early spring flowering shrub has blooms on bare stems that start to appear from late February, with their main display lasting from March until May. Autumn fruit follows — such as yellow or orange-flushed quinces, which are hard and bitter, so better made into a jelly than eaten raw. Chaenomeles are tolerant of most soils, though adding a little grit to heavy clay is worth the effort. They respond well to training and the spiny thorns of many varieties make them good security hedging.
Although chaenomeles are tolerant of shade, the heaviest flowering display will be achieved with a position