Chaenomeles cathayensis

Cathay Quince is an unusual deciduous fruit tree native to Bhutan, China, and Myanmar. Closely related to the perfume quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis), Cathay Quince can be used in the same way, with tart, fragrant fruit being used to make jams, preserves, teas and desserts. Like other Chaenomeles species, this shrub is very ornamental with rosy-pink flowers in late spring. The baseball-sized fruit typically hold onto the tree after the leaves have fallen in autumn, which make quite an intriguing sight in the garden.

Cathay Quince is typically multi-stemmed and can reach fifteen feet in height, with a spreading, rounded canopy of elliptical leaves that turn vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall. Its unique fruits have a flavor somewhat like granny smith apple, but can become fragrant if allowed to further ripen on the counter.

Cold hardy to USDA zone 5a or to -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

For sale are packets of 10 seeds