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Pseudocydonia sinensis

Pseudocydonia sinensis
Chinese Quince

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Struggled with the dryness and coolness at the beginning of spring...

Anne-Claire, 28/04/2024

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A remarkable Chinese quince, ornamental all year round. This large non-thorny shrub or small tree offers pretty pink flowers in spring, then large and very aromatic golden-yellow edible quinces, a beautiful bark that peels off in flakes, and late-falling foliage in flamboyant colours. Undemanding, it adapts to any well-drained soil, even with a clayey and limestone tendency. Hardy down to -20 °C (-4 °F).
Flower size
4 cm
Height at maturity
5 m
Spread at maturity
3.50 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -20°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time April to May
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Description

One wonders why Pseudocydonia sinensis, also known as the Chinese Quince, is not more commonly planted in our gardens, given its countless qualities. Perhaps it is due to its reputation as a frost-sensitive plant that has preceded it since the end of the 19th century. This large, thornless shrub has since proven its ability to survive very cold winters if the conditions are met. It offers permanent appeal, through its beautiful bark, its pink spring flowering followed by large edible and fragrant quinces, not to mention its incandescent autumn colours, which provide a spectacle until late in the season. It is a remarkable plant: superb, fruitful, and robust, it undoubtedly deserves to be tried in ornamental gardens, or even in orchards. Its only requirement: long hot summers that allow for good fruit ripening and significantly improve its cold resistance.

Pseudocydonia sinensis is a small tree or large shrub of the Rosaceae family, with rather slow growth. It is the only species in the Pseudocydonia genus. It is native to the southeastern provinces of China, where it grows up to 1000 m (3280 ft) in altitude. Pseudocydonia can be distinguished from Cydonia, the quince tree in our orchards, by its shiny leaves that are finely toothed at the edges, as well as the absence of thorns, its solitary flowers instead of clusters, and its much larger and perfectly smooth, fuzz-free fruits. The hardiness of this plant will be better in a continental climate or in regions that experience long hot summers and a beautiful late season: the heat allows the branches to lignify well before winter arrives.

The Chinese Quince often forms several trunks supporting a bushy and spreading crown, but it can easily be trained into a single-trunk small tree through appropriate pruning. Over time, it is not uncommon for a single trunk to dominate the others. At maturity, it will reach an average height of 5 m (16 ft 5 in) with a spread of 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in). Its bark is highly decorative: it peels off in plates in June, with large pieces of reddish bark gradually detaching and falling to the ground. The bark, which is grey-brown in colour, reveals large orange areas, decorative throughout the year.

The leaves develop before the flowers; they are alternate, thick, oval-lanceolate in shape, 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3.1 in) long and 3 to 5 cm (1.2 to 2 in) wide, with finely toothed margins. They are a bright green colour and have a shiny upper surface. The autumn colours are fantastic, ranging from orange to red and purple, enhanced by the glossy appearance of the lamina. Completely deciduous in very cold climates, the leaves of this quince can persist through winter in sheltered locations or mild climates. They remain attached to the branches for a long time, sometimes until the new leaves appear in spring. The sight of yellow quinces mixed with flamboyant foliage is superb in October-November.

Flowering on Pseudocydonia sinensis occurs from April to May, lasting about 3 to 4 weeks. The flowers, highly nectar-rich and honey-producing, reach 3 to 5 cm (1.2 to 2 in) in diameter. They are composed of 5 concave petals forming a cup, with a shade of pink that varies depending on the individual. Each flower opens to reveal a heart of yellow stamens. The flowers are solitary and borne on the previous year's branches. They are self-fertile, and a single Pseudocydonia plant is enough to produce fruits. After the flowers, large oval fruits called Chinese quinces appear, initially green and becoming yellow and smooth when ripe. Each fruit measures up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long. They are edible after cooking. The fruits of this quince tree are particularly fragrant, and their flesh is highly aromatic. They are harvested from October to December depending on the region and can be consumed in the same way as the quinces we are familiar with: in compotes, jellies, fruit pastes, or even in tagines.

The Chinese Quince is a plant of great ornamental value and quite tolerant, but it thrives particularly well in a variety of contrasting climates. While it loves heat and sun, this shrub can adapt to all types of soil (acidic, calcareous, clayey, heavy, humiferous, loamy) that do not retain excessive water. Once well established in deep soil, it can even tolerate summer drought. It can be planted in ornamental gardens or orchards. Choose a prominent location for it, so you can admire its charms that impress throughout the year. Pseudocydonia sinensis can, for example, be combined in a large hedgerow with Tetradium danielii (the bee tree), Parrotia persica, small maples (monspessulanum, griseum, truncatum, palmatum dissectum), botanical roses (Rosa hugonis, moyesii, complicata, etc.), deciduous euonymus, Paul's Scarlet hawthorn, and many others. Placing a single fruit in a bowl will pleasantly perfume your living room or dining room! It can also be grown as a bonsai.

Uses and properties:

Chinese quinces are traditionally used in Chinese and Japanese medicine in the form of syrup and drinks to treat sore throats. Koreans also attribute medicinal properties to them and use them to treat tuberculosis and asthma.

In cooking: to make jellies, add pectin because the naturally occurring pectin in the seeds is not sufficient to gel the preparation.

 

Pseudocydonia sinensis in pictures

Pseudocydonia sinensis (Flowering) Flowering
Pseudocydonia sinensis (Foliage) Foliage
Pseudocydonia sinensis (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 5 m
Spread at maturity 3.50 m
Habit spreading
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time April to May
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 4 cm
Fragrance slightly scented
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Fruit colour yellow

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour green
Foliage description deciduous to semi-evergreen foliage depending on the climate

Botanical data

Genus

Pseudocydonia

Species

sinensis

Family

Rosaceae

Other common names

Chinese Quince

Origin

China

Product reference8584311

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Planting and care

Pseudocydonia sinensis is preferably planted in spring in colder regions, and in early autumn in mild climates. It thrives preferably in the sun, where it shows more flowers and more colour in autumn. Plant it in ordinary, deep, well-prepared soil enriched with leaf compost. It requires well-drained soil and prefers it to remain slightly moist, even though it tolerates drought well after 3 years of cultivation. It is a very easy plant to grow that tolerates a wide range of soils, as long as they do not retain excessive water in winter and are not too dry in summer. It tolerates clayey and heavy soils and limestone, but prefers humus-rich soils. Acidic or sandy soils are not a problem if they remain moist and are not too poor. Water regularly to ensure it establishes itself properly. During the first two summers, if it is dry, provide 20 litres of water every two weeks and mulch the soil (10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 in) thick) to retain freshness. This quince tree requires little maintenance, apart from pruning the lower branches to highlight its beautiful bark. You can also remove surplus trunks on young plants. There was a time when marketing this shrub was prohibited due to its alleged sensitivity to fire blight: this regulation has now become completely obsolete.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Back of border, Free-standing
Hardiness Hardy down to -20°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, ordinary, deep, well-drained

Care

Pruning instructions Remove the lower branches if desired to clear the trunk, which is covered in beautiful bark. Light pruning of the branches can be done after flowering if necessary.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time June, November
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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