How to Grow and Care for Fruiting Quince Cydonia oblonga
In the past, a quince tree or two used to appear in pretty much every home orchard, but finding one today is quite rare.
Last time I was in the specialty grocery store near my house, I heard some shoppers marveling and musing about the “weird” basket of fruits sitting next to the apples.
In fact, they’re the least popular fruit trees in the US. I can’t totally blame gardeners for forgetting about them. Quince fruit doesn’t look like much.
The shape is like a cross between a hard, knobby apple and a pear, with cellulite-like dimpled skin. Mostly they can’t be eaten raw off the tree unless you develop a taste for them. They aren’t “easy” like apples or pears.
But the fragrance will knock your socks off. It’s a combination of floral, fruity, and sweet with a complex hint of spice. It’s like mango, guava, pear, rose, and violet wrapped up together.
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I’ve bought quinces at the store that didn’t have the signature aroma, though they cooked up just fine.
I begged and pleaded with the fruits to erupt in fragrance, but they never did. The ones straight off the tree? They’re reliably magnificent. That’s why you should be growing your own.
While the fruits are incredible and are worthy of a comeback, the trees are pretty spectacular, too. One of the most interesting bonsai I’ve ever seen was a Cydonia. The trees take on a gnarled, twisted shape as they age.
In USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9, quince trees make a beautiful and fragrant addition to the garden. Let’s get to know these plants by discussing the following:
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