Quinces - further information

A Quince tree is worth a place in any garden or orchard making a spreading and drooping tree. Quince trees have attractive large white flushed pink flowers in the spring and their fruit ripens by late October.

Quince trees have been cultivated for centuries maybe longer than apple cultivation. Quinces were used as ritual wedding offerings by the ancient Greeks and various Old Testament references may well have been about quinces.

Quince trees produce pear shaped fruits suitable for marmalades, jellies and as an accompaniment to cooked apple. Ripe Quinces have a strong sweet smell and in the past were used as air fresheners. However take heed! When picked store Quinces away from other fruit because their smell can be transferred.
Hardy trees, originating in central Asia & the middle east and grown much in southern Europe where they have hot summers. Bearing this in mind plant in a sheltered sunny position. Tolerate of a variety of soils but avoid sites that can become waterlogged.

In the UK the fruits do not ripen enough to be eaten raw and need cooking to be edible. In hotter climates they can become sweet enough raw if softened by early frosts which increases the quinces sugar levels.