Chaenomeles Speciosa Geisha Girl

2-3 Litre Pot

• RHS Award of Garden Merit
• Position: Full sun, partial shade
• Soil: Well drained
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Flowering Period: April-May
• Hardiness: H6
• Eventual Height: 1.5m
• Eventual Spread: 1.5m

Chaenomeles Geisha Girl, or ‘Japanese Quince’ as it is commonly known is a recipient of the prestigious RHS Award of garden Merit and is a compact, thorny, deciduous shrub.  Its salmon-pink flowers appear in early Spring before the small,  dark green leaves open, bringing a welcoming colourful sight to the garden after the Winter months.  These nectar rich flowers provide a much needed food source for many of our early visiting beneficial garden insects. As the flowers begin to fade, they are replaced by aromatic, egg-shaped, edible green fruits maturing to a golden yellow.   Although very bitter if eaten straight from the plant, they are delicious when cooked to make preserves or jellies.

Looking After Your Chaenomeles Speciosa Geisha Girl

Generally pest and disease free, although may be affected by scale insects/aphids, it is an easy to grow flowering ornamental shrub in many if not all locations.   A low maintenance shrub which can benefit from either a sunny or partially shaded area.  It can also be planted against a wall, fence or within a mixed border.  Plant in a fertile, moist, but well drained soil, applying a good quality multi-purpose fertiliser early in Spring to promote strong, fresh, new growth. Any light pruning to tidy or maintain shape should be done after flowering but any hard pruning, to remove damaged or unwanted branches needs to be done during the Winter months whilst still dormant.