Smyrna Quince

Smyrna Quince (Cydonia oblonga 'Smyrna') is the fruit tree to plant when you have room for one and want it to earn its place. It settles at about 4m tall and 3m wide, carries pink and white blossom in spring, colours up in autumn, and drops large golden fruit that will scent a whole kitchen from a bowl on the bench.

Why you'll love it

• Large, heavily perfumed fruit. Smyrna is one of the bigger fruited quinces, and one tree crops more than most households can use.
• A real ornamental as well. Blossom in spring and autumn colour later earn it a place in a front garden, not just an orchard row.
• Fits a suburban block. At 4m by 3m with non-invasive roots, it can sit near a path, a fence or a paved courtyard without causing trouble.
• Tough once away. Frost hardy and drought tolerant, so a cold winter and a dry summer are both within its range.

Where it works best

Small gardens and backyard orchards. One tree is usually enough for a family, and it takes up about the space of a large shrub.

Feature planting. It has more seasonal interest than most ornamentals, so use it as a lawn specimen rather than hiding it out the back.

Pots and containers. A pot 600mm or wider will hold it, at a reduced size and with more attention to watering through fruit set.

Growing quince in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, and the more of it the better for fruit quality. This is a tree for cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, where winters are genuinely cold.

Soil. It prefers deep soil that holds moisture, and forgives heavier ground than most fruit trees provided water does not sit around the trunk. Work compost through the bed at planting.

Water and feed. Drought tolerant once established, but fruit size depends on water: deep soak weekly from flowering until the fruit finishes swelling. Feed a complete fertiliser in late winter and again after the crop comes off.

Pruning. Prune in winter while dormant. Aim for an open vase so light reaches the centre, take out dead and crossing wood, and keep heading cuts light: hard pruning trades next season's crop for growth.

What to expect when it arrives

It is supplied in one size, 100L, an advanced tree with a formed trunk and framework branches in place. That puts you several years ahead of a bare rooted whip.

Because it is deciduous, a tree delivered through the cooler months may arrive bare. That is dormancy, not a fault, and winter is the best time to plant it. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every tree carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read our guide to planting fruit trees for every season.
• Browse the full fruit trees range.
• Compare other edible plants for the backyard.
• See more deciduous trees with autumn colour.

Common questions

Can you eat quince raw?

Not pleasantly. The flesh is hard and astringent off the tree. Quince is grown to be cooked: poached, roasted, or turned into paste and jelly, which is what brings out the deep pink colour.

Do I need two trees to get fruit?

No. Quinces are self fertile, so a single tree will set a crop on its own. Bees still do the work, so the spring blossom earns its place near a vegetable garden.

Will it fruit in a subtropical garden?

It is unlikely to perform. Quince needs cold winters to flower and fruit properly, which is why we list it for cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean climates only.

How long until it fruits?

From an advanced 100L tree, expect a light crop within a couple of seasons, building from there. Growth is moderate, so give it the first year to establish roots.