Fruiting Quince

Quince is a beautiful and distinctive old-fashioned fruit tree, producing large, fragrant golden-yellow fruit among deep green foliage. In spring, the spreading deciduous trees are covered with attractive pale pink to white flowers, followed by developing fruit that becomes intensely aromatic as it ripens in fall. 

Quince has been valued for centuries for its exceptional culinary qualities. The fruit has a powerful floral, fruity fragrance and rich flavour that develops beautifully with cooking. It is traditionally used for jellies, jams, preserves, membrillo, poaching and baking, and its naturally high pectin content makes it particularly good for preserves. Unlike apples and pears, most quince remains very firm, tart and astringent when ripe and is intended for cooking rather than eating fresh from the tree. Cooking reduces the perceived astringency.

These plants are seed-grown from an apple-shaped fruiting quince, with a pear-shaped quince nearby as a possible pollen parent. Each seedling is therefore genetically unique, with the potential to produce fruit that is apple-shaped, pear-shaped or somewhere in between. The trees are on their own roots (not grafted) and fruit size, shape, flavour, texture, productivity and ripening time may vary slightly from seedling to seedling, meaning each tree provides a chance to grow a unique new quince. 

Hardy and long-lived, quince grows into an attractive small tree about 12–15 feet tall and wide and performs best in full sun with well-draining soil.

Common names: Quince, Common Quince, Fruiting Quince

Edible: Fruit
Harvest timing: September-October

Scientific name: Cydonia oblonga
Light requirements: Full sun 
Full-grown size: 12-15' tall x 12-15' wide
Hardiness: Zone 5
Pollination: Self-fertile, though cross-pollination may increase yields.
Wildlife: Spring flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects, while the fruit may be eaten by birds and mammals.
Origin: Species native to western and central Asia.
Noteworthy: Fruit has exceptional culinary qualities - aromatic, sweet, flavourful.