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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Flowering Quince- I've Waited a Long Time


flowering quince

From 1971 until 1990 we lived on the same property, but closer to the road. One year, maybe 1980ish, crammed among the lilacs, I found a sprig of a shrub with bright magenta blossoms. I dug it up and moved it, but it never bloomed again.

When we built the house we are in now, I transplanted that silly twig up here. It has bloomed a few times, but has been eaten by the rabbits during the winter more often. Until this year. This is the best it has ever looked. I'm not a big fan of pink, but this color is so rich, that I really like it.

This is some species/variety of Chaenomeles. I've seen a lot of these bushes in other people's yards, and the color of this one is one of the best. Enjoy!

flowering quince



14 comments:

RNSANE said...

This is almost a hot pink..just beautiful! Maybe it was just having a nice long rest, Shark.

rainfield61 said...

The pink signifies brightness and hopes. It is a beautiful colour.

Mrs. Mecomber said...

I am not familiar with quince, although I have heard of it. Ugh, all those years waiting for blooms! Glad it surprised you this year! :D

I enjoyed your other posts about the turtle and nature trail. Nice. :D

Secondary Roads said...

Beautiful blooms in an interesting context.

Marg said...

I don't like Pink either but that is one pretty color. It is almost a red. Glad the bush decided to make a come back because it is very pretty. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Ann said...

I love how you planted it between the wagon wheels. It's quite pretty.

Chubskulit Rose said...

This is so lovely, I have seen some of this in the neighborhood but did not know the name, now I know. Thank you for sharing it..

Lin said...

I like the color! Isn't it funny how it decided to bloom so lovely THIS year??? I had a hydrangea do that to me in the fall. Had it for YEARS and it never bloomed until this year. I guess it happens in their own time.

Ferd said...

SO worth the wait!!!
Beautiful!

WillOaks Studio said...

Wow, I love that bush, that flower and I had no idea it took that long...but it's just beautiful! Lucky you!

Sharkbytes said...

Hi Carmen- I suspect it was waiting till it felt well-fed. I've helped it a little bit now that it's up here on the hill with us.

rainfield- hope is good!

Hi Mrs. M- thanks for stopping by. I love all the memories of NY places you give me.

Chuck- I have actually bought a couple of shrubs, but I am usually really mingy.

Hi Marg- I think that's part of what I like- the gradations in the petal colors.

Ann- I still have a couple of wheels to put up, but I don't seem to get around to it.

Hi Rose (I think that is your name)- I have to confess that it took me a few years to figure it out myself.

Lin- yes, shrubs are funny that way. I have remembered to feed it about every other year.

Ferd- thanks. I'm hopeful that it will get even bigger, but the rabbits are brutal.

Karen- I think it doesn't usually take so long. I have really, really crappy soil.

Rick (Ratty) said...

It finally paid off then. The plant is finally happy where it is.

spinninglovelydays said...

I love the color too, but then again I like pink, lol. I thought a quince (something we don't have here either)was a kind of fruit. Does this plant bear the fruit or it's something entirely different?

Sharkbytes said...

Ratty- Sure seems happy this year!

Ivy- Yes the "real" quince is a fruit. Just another of those problems with common names. The plants are not related.