{"product_id":"winter-cheer-flowering-quince-chaenomeles-speciosa-winter-cheer","title":"Winter Cheer Flowering Quince - Chaenomeles speciosa 'Winter Cheer'","description":"\u003cp\u003eWinter Cheer Flowering Quince (\u003cem\u003eChaenomeles speciosa\u003c\/em\u003e 'Winter Cheer') is a tough, spiny deciduous shrub that grows about 1.5m tall and wide. Dozens of ruby-red, cup-shaped flowers open along its bare branches in winter, long before the leaves return. It is very cold hardy, copes with heavy clay and makes a good boundary hedge, with flowers that last well in a vase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRuby red in the depths of winter.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cup-shaped red flowers cover the bare branches, giving the garden a splash of colour when little else is in bloom.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact for a quince.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 1.5m by 1.5m it fits a smaller garden or a tight hedge line better than the spreading varieties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCuts well for the house.\u003c\/strong\u003e The flowers last well in water, so a few stems brighten the house in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExtremely cold hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy to -20C, it suits most climates in Australia.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit with a use.\u003c\/strong\u003e The small, fragrant fruits are sour raw but high in pectin, and they make good jam.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBoundary hedges.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1m apart in a single row for a dense, informal hedge that is bare of leaf but bright with flowers in winter. The spiny stems deter wandering pets and people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature shrub in a mixed bed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it in a mixed border where the red flowers stand out against dark evergreens, and let perennials in front cover the plain summer foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife shelter.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense, thorny growth makes a sheltering hedge for wildlife, and the winter flowers add early colour for the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Winter Cheer Flowering Quince in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade. It copes with most Australian climates, but like most deciduous shrubs it flowers best where winters are properly cold. In frost free subtropical gardens expect a lighter display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Almost any neutral to acid soil suits it, including heavy clay. Mulch to hold moisture and keep the roots cool in summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch around the base and water regularly for the first 12 weeks or so. It is drought tolerant once settled but flowers and grows better with some rain or irrigation. Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune as required after flowering to maintain shape and plant health. Avoid hard winter pruning, which removes flower buds. Wear gloves when handling the spiny stems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Winter Cheer Flowering Quince as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes are the economical way to plant a long hedge, and the 140mm pots give a head start on a feature planting. Expect steady growth, with the best flowering coming once the shrub has filled out over a few seasons.\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\/best-hedging-plants\"\u003eCompare the best hedging plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/frost-hardy-plants\"\u003eMore frost hardy plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/best-plants-for-clay-soil-australia\"\u003ePlants for heavy clay soil\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/how-to-create-a-great-hedge-and-keep-it-looking-sharp\"\u003eHow to create and keep a great hedge\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 1.5m tall and 1.5m wide, which is compact for a flowering quince. Plant 1m apart if you want a hedge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it keep its leaves in winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, it is deciduous. The branches are bare when the flowers open, which is part of the effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it prickly?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, the stems are spiny, which makes a good barrier but means you should wear gloves when pruning and keep it clear of paths and play areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787194138943,"sku":"CHA-SPE-WINTER-tube","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67787194171711,"sku":"CHA-SPE-WINTER-140MM-P10","price":303.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/winter-cheer-flowering-quince-chaenomeles-speciosa-winter-cheer.jpg?v=1792151591","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/winter-cheer-flowering-quince-chaenomeles-speciosa-winter-cheer","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}