Chaenomeles speciosa 'Moerloosei'
This Japanese quince is one of our favourite spring flowering shrubs, growing in the Cottage Garden against the Alpine Bed walls and as a specimen shrub in the Fruit Field Garden. Here it provides blossom interest between early-flowering Prunus and camellias and the later flowering fruit trees. We grow it with Narcissus, Cotoneaster, hellebores, Muscari and primulas.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Japanese quince 'Moerloosei'
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Height & spread
- Up to 3m (10ft) high and wide
- Form
- Long-lived deciduous perennial
- Soil
- Moderately well-drained fertile soil
- Aspect
- Sun or partial shade
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy in the British Isles
Chaenomeles
This is a genus of three species of deciduous shrubs from mountain woodland in China and Japan. One species sometimes grows as a small tree, and the genus is generally spiny. They are grown for their early, cup-shaped single to double flowers that are borne singly or in dense clusters, before and with emerging leaves. They’re also known for their apple-like edible, aromatic fruits that ripen in autumn, though these are only palatable when cooked.
The name is from the Greek words 'chaino' to gape, and 'melon', an apple – this is from the thinking that the fruit splits, which is doesn’t.
Chaenomeles speciosa 'Moerloosei'
This is a medium-sized deciduous shrub, spreading in habit, with glossy leaves 4-9cm in length. Spiny stems bear clusters of flowers 3.5cm in width, white, tinged with deep pink, which are similar to apple blossom. These are followed by quince-like, greenish-yellow fruit 5cm across, which are fragrant when ripe.
This March-flowering plant works well underplanted with white-flowered bulbs and later in the year makes a good support for Clematis viticella cultivars.
The name speciosa means showy.
Cultivation
- Grow in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade
- Prune immediately after flowering
- Brown scale, aphids and fireblight may be a problem
Propagation
- Root semi-hardwood cuttings in summer or layer in autumn.
- Sow seeds in autumn, but bear in mind that cultivars will not come true
AGM
The RHS Woody Plant Committee awarded Chaenomeles speciosa 'Moerloosei' an Award of Garden Merit and described it as:
'Medium-sized deciduous shrub, habit spreading. Leaves 4-9cm long, ovate, glossy. Flowers 3.5cm wide, white, tinged with deep pink. Fruit 5cm long, apple-shaped, greenish-yellow, fragrant when ripe.'