Flowering Quince

Texas Scarlet is a deciduous flowering quince with vivid red flowers that open on bare branches in early spring. It forms a thorny, rounded shrub and may produce small fragrant fruit later in the year. ## Identification and garden use The [Denver Botanic Gardens record](https://navigate.botanicgardens.org/weboi/oecgi2.exe/INET_ECM_DispPl?NAMENUM=2921&startpage=1) identifies Texas Scarlet as Chaenomeles × superba and records red flowers in March and April. The [Missouri Botanical Garden guide](https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/visual-guides/short-to-medium-shrubs-for-st-louis) lists a typical size of 3–4 feet tall by 4–5 feet wide, with full sun to part shade. The [RHS profile](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/81103/chaenomeles-%C3%97-superba-texas-scarlet/details) gives a broader mature range of 1–1.5 meters in both directions. Allow room for a spreading shrub; its early flowers work well in borders and informal screening. Cultivar references use different species-level names, but the selection name Texas Scarlet is consistent. ## Growing conditions Grow in sun or partial shade and use soil that drains well. The Denver Botanic Gardens notes that this selection is drought tolerant once established. Water during establishment and extended dry spells. ## Maintenance Flowering quince blooms on older wood. [Virginia Cooperative Extension guidance](https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/2901/2901-1044/2901-1044.pdf) recommends pruning after flowering to maintain size and encourage future blooms. Remove only the branches needed to shape the shrub, and account for its thorns when choosing a site.