Chinese Flowering Quince - Chaenomeles cathayensis - Royal - ORG

You can often pick fruit straight from the plant and eat it, but with the Cathay quince, that’s where the surprise lies. The large, golden-yellow fruits of Chaenomeles cathayensis are firm and quite tart when eaten raw. Give them a bit of time in the kitchen and something special happens. As they cook, the scent transforms into a warm, almost floral fragrance and the full flavour really comes to life. That is why the Cathay quince has been used for generations to make jam, jelly, compote and other homemade delicacies. The fruits are also strikingly large and renowned for their delicious aroma.

The fruit bush you smell first

Some plants stand out for their flowers, others for their leaves. The Cathay quince, however, captivates your nose above all else. Ripe fruits give off a delightful scent that lingers for a long time, even indoors. In the past, quinces were therefore often placed in a fruit bowl or even in a linen cupboard as a natural air freshener. That may be an old-fashioned custom, but it does show just how exceptionally aromatic these fruits are. And once you’ve made your own quince jelly, you’ll immediately understand why so many enthusiasts look forward to it every year.

A plant that deserves a place straight away

We supply this organic Cathay quince in a P15 pot. This means you’ll receive a beautifully developed plant that can take its rightful place in the garden straight away. It creates a completely different impression to a small seedling and ensures your garden looks a little more impressive straight away. The larger pot size may make the plant slightly more expensive, but this ensures a strong start. Naturally, this Cathay quince is also grown entirely organically, just as you’d expect from Natural Bulbs.

A hidden favourite for enthusiasts

The Cathay quince isn’t a fruit bush you’ll find in every garden. Perhaps that’s precisely what gives it its charm. It doesn’t surprise you with an abundance of familiar flavours, but with something new. A fruit that invites you to experiment, try out old family recipes or, indeed, make your own favourite jelly. It’s the sort of plant that slowly carves out a permanent place for itself in both the garden and the kitchen. As soon as you’ve harvested the first fragrant fruits, you’ll wonder why you didn’t plant it much sooner.