'Texas Scarlet' Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles × superba 'Texas Scarlet'): Tomato-Red Spring Blooms

'Texas Scarlet' Flowering Quince Overview

Few spring sights rival 'Texas Scarlet' flowering quince in full bloom. For a week or two in early spring, bare branches explode with unforgettable tomato-red flowers. The rest of the season, it forms a compact, spreading mound of glossy green foliage 2–3 feet tall, thriving even in tough conditions. Green fruit ripens to yellow and is edible when cooked.

Key Features

• Compact, spreading habit—great for slopes
• Profuse tomato-red flowers
• Edible fruit (cooked)

Growing Requirements

• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained; easy to establish
• Size: 3–6 feet tall and wide
• Maintenance: Moderate; clean up fallen leaves to prevent fungal leaf spot in wet years

Propagation & Problems

Propagate by seed in autumn, semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or layering in autumn. Potential issues include fireblight, canker, rust, apple mosaic virus, scale, leaf spot, and defoliation.