This false quince from China suggests an artists rendition of what a quince could be in its ultimate expression. A large, graceful shrub to small tree, to about 12 ft, the bark exfoliates beautifully in jigsaw puzzle patterns of bronze, orange, and cream. The foliage is rounded to about 4", and a pretty, shiny green, turning coppery orange and red in late fall, and often remaining through the winter only to shed as new growth appears or with severe cold. Careful pruning maintains small tree shape. Early spring flowers of apple blossom pink give way to rounded, yellow, waxy fruit, sort of papaya-shaped to about 6", with a strong fragrance of quince and lemon. Wonderful for an indoor bowl of "living potpourri", refreshing an entire room... possibly the whole neighborhood. A plant for bright light to only dappled shade. Drought tolerant though summer water speeds growth. Frost hardy in USDA zone 6 CHINESE FALSE QUINCE Rosaceae
