The Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles japonica) which is growing beside the house wall under our lounge window, is now buzzing with the sound of bees. It is incredible and confirms that spring is upon is.
This variety of quince is very trainable and grows to about 2ft high where we have it. It is bright orange, and looks good with the shrub Spirea bumalda ’Goldflame’ which has orangey yellow leaves at this time of year, and tulips Princess Irene (which also has a sweet scent) and Purissima. It also looks good with Erysimum wallflowers.