About
Chaenomeles speciosa 'Simonii' is a low, spreading deciduous shrub that reaches a height of around 1 meter. It features dark green, glossy foliage. In spring, this plant produces clusters of sizeable, double flowers that are a deep blood-red, emerging on bare branches. By autumn, it bears aromatic green-yellow fruits that can be utilized for making jams and jellies. However, it’s important to consult toxicity notes for safety information.
About the genus
Chaenomeles consists of deciduous shrubs that are typically spiny, featuring simple leaves. In spring, these plants produce cup-shaped flowers with five petals, which may appear alone or in clusters. After flowering, they bear edible fruits that are often fragrant, ranging in color from green to yellow.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Fruit Edible
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Fragrance
- Fruit
- Toxicity
- 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
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Grow in full sun for the best flowering and fruiting. See quince cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Pruning group 2, or pruning group 13 if wall-trained
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects, brown scale and aphids
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to fireblight, blossom wilt, brown rot and honey fungus (rarely)