{"product_id":"falconnet-charlet-flowering-quince-chaenomeles-speciosa-falconnet-charlet","title":"Falconnet Charlet Flowering Quince - Chaenomeles speciosa 'Falconnet Charlet'","description":"\u003cp\u003eFalconnet Charlet Flowering Quince (\u003cem\u003eChaenomeles speciosa\u003c\/em\u003e 'Falconnet Charlet') is a vigorous, spiny deciduous shrub that reaches 1.5m to 1.8m tall and 2.4m to 3m wide. In late winter its bare branches carry pink buds that open to pale pink and white double flowers, then age to a deep peach-apricot. It is cold hardy, copes with heavy clay and makes an informal boundary hedge that gives wildlife shelter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour when the garden is bare.\u003c\/strong\u003e The flowers appear on leafless branches in late winter, well before most shrubs wake up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers that change with age.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pink buds open to pale pink and white, then deepen to peach-apricot, so one shrub carries several shades at once.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery cold hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is hardy to -20C and suited to most climates in Australia.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHappy in heavy clay.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows in pretty much any neutral to acid soil, even heavy clay that defeats other flowering shrubs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit for the kitchen.\u003c\/strong\u003e The small, fragrant fruits are sour raw but high in pectin, which makes them good for jams and jellies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInformal boundary hedges.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.5m apart for a loose, wide hedge. The spiny stems form a barrier that small birds use for shelter, and the display is at its best in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature shrub.\u003c\/strong\u003e Give it room to spread to 3m and it becomes the main event in a winter garden, especially against a dark fence or evergreen backdrop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEspalier on a wall.\u003c\/strong\u003e The long stems can be trained flat against a wall or fence, which suits a narrower space and shows the flowers off clearly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Falconnet Charlet Flowering Quince in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade. It suits most Australian climates, though like most deciduous shrubs it flowers best where winters are properly cold. In frost free subtropical gardens, expect a lighter display. It loses its leaves in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pretty much any neutral to acid soil will do, even heavy clay. Good drainage still helps, and mulching keeps the roots cool in summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch the root zone and water regularly while it settles in, which takes around 12 weeks. Once established it is drought tolerant, but it performs better in gardens with some rain or irrigation. Feed with a slow release fertiliser in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Flowers form on old wood, so prune straight after flowering to shape the plant and keep it healthy. Cutting hard in winter removes the flower buds. Wear gloves, because the stems are spiny.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Falconnet Charlet Flowering Quince as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tube stock suits a long hedge, while the 140mm pots give a stronger start. It is a vigorous shrub, but expect a few seasons before it fills out to its full width and carries a heavy show of flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hedging-screening\"\u003eHedging and screening plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/deciduous-shrubs\"\u003eMore deciduous shrubs\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/best-plants-for-clay-soil-australia\"\u003eBest plants for heavy clay soil\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/pruning-for-beginners-a-simple-guide-to-get-started\"\u003ePruning for beginners\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen should I prune it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStraight after flowering. The flowers form on old wood, so pruning later in the year removes next season's buds. Shape it lightly and thin out any crowded stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill kangaroos or deer eat it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is reputed to be deer resistant, so it is worth trying where kangaroos or wallabies browse. No plant is browse proof, though, so protect young plants until they are established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I eat the fruit?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe small fragrant fruits are sour raw. They are high in pectin, which makes them useful for jams and jellies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787194040639,"sku":"CHA-SPE-FALCON-tube","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67787194073407,"sku":"CHA-SPE-FALCON-140MM-P10","price":303.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/falconnet-charlet-flowering-quince-chaenomeles-speciosa-falconnet-charlet.jpg?v=1792151582","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/falconnet-charlet-flowering-quince-chaenomeles-speciosa-falconnet-charlet","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}