Plant of the week – Chaenomeles x superba ‘Jet Trail’ is pretty awesome. When you most need a sight for sore eyes, this shrub explodes into a haven of white blooms in early spring. The common name, Japanese quince, straight away indicates the origin of this beauty. As does the latin name.
Plant of the week – Chaenomeles x superba
The abundance of white flowers in autumn give way to fruit later in the season. To us humans they are mainly ornamental and only to be eaten if you like them bitter. If not, make them into preserves and jelly. Leaves are glossy oval to oblong. The shrub has a somewhat bushy growth habit reaching a maximum height of around 1,5 – 2m.
For garden design purposes it’s highly versatile and could be used in cottage and informal gardens as well as city and courtyard green spaces. Having thorns it’s useful as a barrier plant. It prefers a sunny or partial shade location and is rather flexible when it comes to soil as long as it’s well draining. It’s drought tolerant once established. Myself would plant this in a strategic place where I could see it. Especially in spring.
If your thing Japanese quince is considered an easy-to-keep and rewarding bonsai tree,
