The flowering quince has become famous for the beautiful flowers it produces at a time of the year when little else of interest is happening in the garden. Depending on the zone in which it is grown, flowering can occur as early as January in warmer regions and as late as May in more northerly climates. Branches cut in the winter can be forced into bloom indoors.
Native to eastern Asia and prized in gardens of Japan, flowering quinces can be used as individual specimens or in mass plantings and borders with stunning results. They can also make an effective hedge or security barrier, thanks to the thorny dense tangle of stems they produce. Quinces are also popular as bonsai specimens.
The early blooms precede the foliage on these deciduous shrubs each spring, so they can be seen in their entirety. The blooms are not only beautiful to look at but also attract butterflies. Most quinces also produce small fruit that attracts birds. While these are not the true edible quinces, their hard aromatic fruit can be used to make delicious marmalades and jellies.
Flowering quinces prefer to be planted in full sun locations and should be planted in areas where their beauty can be seen and enjoyed from all areas of the garden. For a neat and tidy appearance, prune annually after the flowers have finished blooming. The cut branches also work well for indoor arrangements.