Shrub · Rosaceae family
Japanese flowering-quince
Chaenomeles japonica
In short a 10-second read
Japanese flowering-quince (shrub) grows to 0.61–1.5 m tall and 0.8–2 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in soil from dry to moist. It flowers in March–June; the flowers are orange, red, pink or white. Hardy to −29 °C.
× spread 0.8–2 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in soil from dry to moist. Hardy to −29 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
dry to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: clay, loamy, sandy
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 5–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
March–June · orange, red, pink or white
Pruning
prune after flowering (July)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −29 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Japanese flowering-quince flower?
In March–June; the flowers are orange, red, pink or white.
Does Japanese flowering-quince tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does Japanese flowering-quince need?
At maturity 0.8–2 m wide and 0.61–1.5 m tall; recommended spacing 100 cm.
Does Japanese flowering-quince survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (20)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Chaenomeles japonica
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Chaenomeles japonica
- RHS Plant Finder — Chaenomeles japonica
- Lorberg Baumschulen — Chaenomeles japonica
- Bruns Pflanzen — Chaenomeles japonica
- Gärtnerei Strickler — Chaenomeles japonica 'Cido'
- Hortipendium — Chaenomeles japonica
- Wikidata (CC0) — Chaenomeles japonica
- GBIF Species Match / backbone — Chaenomeles japonica
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Chaenomeles japonica
- RHS - Shrubs: pruning early-flowering
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow shrubs
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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