Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F
Unlike the tiny blooms of other Quinces, 'Crimson and Gold's flowers are about twice the size at 2 inches across. The red overlapping petals surround bright golden stamens. The flowers open from very large red buds that are almost as attractive as the flowers themselves. When the buds first start to swell, you can cut branches to bring indoors and force in a vase filled with water.

Crimson & Gold has a low, mounding form to about 2 to 3 feet in height with a spread about twice as wide. This makes it a good selection where a lower shrub is desired. The foliage stays green all the way through the warm season. As with other quince, this one produces tar-flavored fruits in fall. If you don't eat them, the birds will. The branches do produce thorns but they aren't a big deal because you rarely if ever have to prune this plant. The thorns do a great job of keeping the neighbors dogs and cats out of your yard!

Like with other quince, this one is very long-lived and easy to grow. Just plant it in well-drained soil and a spot that provides plenty of sun for best flowering.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Planting
Plant Crimson & Gold Quince in well-drained soil and preferably in full sun. I have quince planted along the edge of my property and have combined it with other plants and trees that flower in early to mid spring: forsythia, Reeve's spirea, tulip tree (Magnolia) and Carolina Jasmine is nearby.

To plant, dig a hole no deeper than the root ball and two to three times the width of the root ball and fill it with water. If the hole drains within a few hours, you have good drainage. If the water is still standing 12 hours later, improve the drainage in your bed, perhaps by establishing a raised bed. Turn and break up the soil removed from the planting hole. If the native soil is compacted or heavy clay amend with organic compost or a good soil amendment at a 50/50 ratio. Remove your plant from its container and carefully but firmly loosen the root ball. Set the plant into the hole you've prepared, making sure the top of the root ball is slightly above the soil level. Pull your backfill soil mixture around the root ball in the hole, tamping as you go to remove air pockets. Then water thoroughly and cover with a one to two-inch layer of mulch

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Pruning
Quince doesn't require pruning however, each year, after it finishes blooming, I use bypass hand pruners to remove some of the oldest stems. Definitely wear some good gloves when pruning as quince does have some thorns. But then, most plants in the Rosasceae (Rose) family have thorns.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Feeding
I fertilize Quince after it blooms in spring with a well-balanced, slow-release shrub and tree-type fertilizer. You can fertilize it again in late summer if you like.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Problems
Flowering Quince are known to be very long-lived shrubs that have very few if any pest or disease problems. I've had no problems with any of my quince.