Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Quince blossom


A quince branch covered in blossom

If I were to plant one fruit tree solely for its flowers it would be the quince. The true quince, Cydonia oblonga, has a long history of being cultivated. Its beautiful flowers and fruit were appreciated by the very first civilisations in the countries now called Iraq, Turkey and Greece, where the quince tree evolved. 

 Close up of a 'Smyrna' quince blossom

The quince fruit is very beautiful too, so it is an excellent ornamental as well as useful tree. It is a relatively small tree (5-8 metres maximum) with a spreading habit if given space. The quince trees are flowering in the Eco Garden now – here are some more pictures to show how pretty they are...


'Giant of Gascony' 
quince flowers
 - the tree is being grown on
the lawn as an ornamental to
complement the double 
flowering cherry behind it.
























 An old quince tree in full flower

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