Cydonia Oblonga Portugal Quince

Cydonia Oblonga Portugal, often simply called Portugal Quince, is a well-loved variety of fruiting quince that produces large golden pear-shaped fruits in autumn and delightful scented blossom in spring. 
In early spring the deciduous Portugal Quince sprouts light green buds which mature into a rich, deep green. These oval leaves with pointed tips are lighter beneath and quickly spread to dress the whole tree. Blossom soon appears after the new foliage, and these pretty little pink blooms are sweetly scented, attracting all manner of pollinators when there is little else about. Blossom develops into small hard balls that swell up into a fuzz-covered quince, and as summer progresses the quince swell, eventually turning into pear-shaped golden weights that pull down branches.  The fruits are ready to pick in late autumn when the delightful scent has fully developed.

Portugal Quince will reach a maximum height of around four metres over 5-10 years if left to grow. You can keep it smaller by pruning excess branches during the winter. 

How Hardy Is Cydonia Oblonga Portugal
Portugal Quince is a hardy tree capable of surviving sub zero UK winters if its roots are not waterlogged, but to grow well quince must have a sheltered location with plenty of sun. It may struggle to fruit in northern areas of the UK. 

How To Use Cydonia Oblonga Portugal
Portugal Quince fruit is best cooked and used as dessert jam or jelly. The flesh turns pink as it breaks down and produces a mild flavour and texture that suits marmalade. Many jam makers suggest Portugal is the best variety for jams.

You can grow Portugal Quince as a specimen tree in your lawn, trained on a sunny wall or in a container on the patio. It will fill the surrounding spot with beautiful fragrance, and suit most sunny situations in urban and rural settings. 
How To Care For Cydonia Oblonga Portugal
Portugal Quince is self-fertile, as are most fruiting quinces. Genrally Quince will tolerate most soils but prefer a moist fertile home. You do not need to prune them but to maintain the best harvest its best to cut out dead and broken branches. In early spring watch out for late frosts that can damage blossom. Cover your quince with fleece if late frost is predicted as this will diminish the harvest considerably. It is good practice to apply a thick a layer of organic matter to quince roots in early spring to boost health, and to water them well during dry spells, particularly the younger specimens that are not yet established.

This variety fruiting quince variety should not be mistaken for ornamental flowering quince such as Chaenomeles Superba Pink Lady which is grown for its blossoms. Portugal Quince is a hard-working, fruit-bearing tree with plenty of character that requires little care in exchange for beautiful blossom, scent and tasty jams. Lots more choice in our fruiting trees section.