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Cydonia oblonga 'Smyrna' (F)

quince 'Smyrna'

A deciduous large shrub or tree bearing large, furrowed, pear-shaped aromatic fruits in autumn that ripen to yellow. The smooth, pale yellow flesh turns pale pink when cooked but stays firm. The leaves of this cultivar are large when compared to other quinces but retain the characteristic green upper surfaces and downy-silvery-grey undersides

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Loam

Clay

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Seeds contain toxins so these should be removed if you are considering eating the fruit, usually grown as an ornamental shrub. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Cydonia are large deciduous shrubs with simple, ovate leaves and 5-petalled, bowl-shaped pink or white flowers, followed by pear-like fruits, edible when ripe
Name status: Accepted
Horticultural Group: This genus produces fruit, but not necessarily edible fruit

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun in a warm, sheltered spot; see quince cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by grafting, semi-ripe cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn/early winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Edible fruit

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and caterpillars

Diseases

May be susceptible to quince leaf blight, brown rot, fireblight, powdery mildews and honey fungus

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