There is a bush in my backyard that has been there since I think before I was born. Every year it produces these beautiful pink blossoms well before any azaleas start to bloom. It stands about three feet tall and has remained with no care for decades. Without its flowers, its appearance reminds me a little of a boxwood. Can anyone tell me what it is and how I should care for it?
Hardiness Zone: 7a
By Cheryl Crockett from Washington, DC
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Looks like a dwarf or miniature azalea. Good luck.
It's botanical genus name is Chaenomeles, it's common name in Australia is Japonica or flowering quince. It is one of the first to flower and the flowers are often followed by fruit which can be made into 'japonica jelly', (like quince jelly but a clear red colour).
Thanks to you both! This is very helpful. I am inclined to agree with John because it is definitely hardy. I just don't want to mess it up if I try to prune it (HELP! - how do I prune it?).
I doubt it is in any way related to the azalea because the azaleas haven't even hinted at beginning their blossoms. In my area (Wash., DC - USA) azaleas appear faithfully in time for Mother's Day (the 2nd Sunday in May) and these flowers appeared more than a month earlier.
Here is a picture of the bush from a bit of a distance. I know it can look better. Can anyone point me to some care and pruning advice? Should I prune it now or wait until the flowers fade but before summer? Thanks.
It doesn't look like an azalea to me, but we are 20 miles north of Washington, DC, and have had some azaleas blooming for the last few days due to the exceptionally warm weather!
Yes! I too expect early azaleas this year. Just this morning, in my NW DC neighborhood, I noticed the azalea buds pushing forth the tiniest bit of color (since yesterday). This as the flowers on my fully bloomed non-azalea bush have begun to fade.
Sure does look like my flowering quince. I love it. Has numerous babies.Mine might be a little more orangey than what is shown. Has thorns. Never noticed any fruit on mine, but then the animals could have gotten the fruit.
Definitely a quince; you are lucky to have this very old fashioned, beautiful bush. Be careful of the thorns, it will bite back!
I took another picture of my bush today now that the flowers have faded and the new leafy growth is underway. What a hearty plant?! I am thinking of taking cuttings to propagate new bushes to fill up the yard. It makes sense to expand upon what is already thriving in the yard and/or neighborhood.
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