Prune flowering quince after the flowers fade. Wear gloves for the thorns. Flowers form on last year's wood, so a winter cut takes next spring's bloom.
Prune after the flowers fade, and wear gloves for the thorns
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Right after the spring bloom | Do not prune in winter if you want next year's flowers |
| Wood | Last year's growth holds the bloom | Do not treat it as a shrub that flowers on new wood |
| Thorns | Gloves and long sleeves | Do not reach into the tangle bare-handed |
| How much | A few of the oldest canes at the ground; no more than about one-third of living stems | Do not shear it like a hedge in summer |
Flowering quince blooms on last year's wood. Wait until the flowers fade, then cut. That gives the shrub a full season to grow the wood that will bloom next year. [1] Most kinds are thorny. Crimson and Gold needs gloves. Double Take Scarlet is thornless, but it still waits until after bloom — thornless is not a winter cut. [2]
When should I prune flowering quince?
After the flowers fade. Cut a few old canes at the ground. Do not cut in winter if you want next year's bloom.
How to prune flowering quince
Work from the inside: dead wood first, then a few oldest canes, then stop.
- Wait until the flowers fade. Put on gloves and long sleeves unless the tag is a thornless Double Take.
- Cut out dead, crossing, or damaged wood. Those cuts do not count toward the living wood you will take.
- Each year or two, cut a few of the oldest, darkest canes at the ground to open the center. [3]
- Shorten remaining stems for shape if you need to, cutting above an outward bud. Do not take more than about one-third of the living stems in one year.
- Cut suckers at the soil if you do not want the shrub to spread. You can take suckers at any time.
Can I cut flowering quince to the ground?
Yes, as a one-time reset on a sparse, overgrown shrub. Cut to 6 to 12 inches. You will lose one spring of flowers. Do not do that every year.
What fails when you prune at the wrong time
A winter or late-summer cut removes the wood that would have bloomed. Shearing like a hedge in June does the same. Cutting the whole shrub to 6 to 12 inches every year keeps it short and flowerless. That hard reset is for a lanky, sparse plant, about once every few years, not an annual chore. [4] If you already cut in winter, leave the shrub alone until after next bloom. It will flower again the year after that.
If you already cut in winter, wait until after the next bloom before you shape it again.
FAQ
Can I prune flowering quince in winter?
A winter cut takes next spring's flowers. Wait until the bloom fades unless you are doing a one-time reset and can skip a year of bloom.
Do Double Take kinds prune the same way?
Yes on timing. They still bloom on last year's wood, so wait until the flowers fade. They are thornless, so gloves are optional.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Melinda Myers -
https://www.melindamyers.com/articles/pruning-flowering-quince - [2] Homes and Gardens -
https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/how-to-prune-flowering-quince - [3] Garden Design -
https://www.gardendesign.com/shrubs/flowering-quince.html - [4] JC Raulston Arboretum -
https://jcra.ncsu.edu/horticulture/plant-profiles/details.php?ID=52
This note is part of Chaenomeles Guides.
More pruning timing notes by plant live in Pruning Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors