Chaenomeles Superba Pink Lady

Chaenomeles Superba Pink Lady is a hardy deciduous ornamental flowering quince with early spring to late autumn interest. Chaenomeles Superba quinces are loved for their bright flowers, fragrant fruits and hardy nature. The Pink Lady is no exception. 

Chaenomeles Superba Pink Lady is more commonly known as the Japanese Quince Pink Lady. In mild winters the pink five-petal flowers, measuring 3.5 cm across, can bloom in late January /early February bringing much needed early colour to the garden and supporting those early rising pollinators. Its cup-shaped flowers open on bare branches and are followed by dark glossy green leaves in the summer months. The flowers will last until May when they gradually develop into small fragrant yellow fruits. 

The Chaenomeles Superba Pink Lady boasts the truest pink of the Japanese Quince. The flowers are a bright blush of baby pink rather than the orange and red hued pinks that other Japanese Quince produce.

Hardiness Levels
Japanese Quince Pink Lady is hardy throughout the UK and thrives best in the moist, well-drained soil of any reasonable PH. It will benefit from wind-shelter and is content in partial shade or a sunny spot. 

How To Use Japanese Quince Pink Lady 
Due to its spreading habit Chaenomeles Superba Pink Lady is an extremely versatile and hard-working shrub. You can train it against a fence or a wall or grow it as groundcover to conceal an unsightly spot. Alternatively use it as a stand-alone feature shrub or plant individual shrubs two feet apart to produce a slow-growing flowering hedge. Pink Lady will spread approximately 8-10cm a year making it suitable for smaller gardens. 
Because Chaenomeles Superba Pink Lady flowers earlier than other varieties of Japanese Quince it is a valuable source of colour providing an alternative to yellow daffodils or purple crocus.
The small yellow quince fruits produced in autumn are not only ornamental in the bare months; they provide much-needed food for birds. If the birds leave any you can make preserves or add them to apple pies for a slightly floral taste. 

How To Care For Your Japanese Quince Pink Lady
The Japanese Quince Pink Lady is a spreading shrub and will need some pruning once it reaches the height and shape you require. Its final height will measure approximately 1- 1.5 metres high by 1 - 1.5 metres wide.
Once your Chaenomeles Superba Pink Lady has reached the desired height it’s best to prune back unruly side-shoots after flowering has finished and remove any crossed stems to maintain an attractive shape. If you enjoy propagating plants take Pink Lady semi-hardwood cuttings in spring or autumn. They root quickly when placed in a sandy damp potting mix. 

The Japanese Quince Pink Lady has rightly been presented with an RHS Award of Merit and an RHS ‘perfect for pollinators’ label. She’s attractive all year round, easy to care for and provides essential support in wildlife-friendly gardens.