Identification help please!

andychelt1980

Just wondered if anyone knows what this big bushy thing is called, whether I can prune it back a bit, and if so, when is best? It's probably about 6 feet tall and similar width. I want to keep it from getting bigger and ideally reduce the size a bit! Thanks in advance...

Silver surfer

Looks like Chaenomeles sp.

https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/chaenomeles-speciosa

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b&biw=1920&bih=943&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=Fjn3WreNHMLIgAbjyKroCA&q=chaenomeles+&oq=chaenomeles+&gs_l=img.12..0i67k1j0j0i67k1j0l4j0i67k1j0l2.43390.44258.0.46162.6.4.0.0.0.0.80.294.4.4.0....0...1c..64.img..3.3.226...0i8i30k1j0i24k1.0.ewkFv7hsYqg

I will leave others to give advise re pruning.

Lizzie27

Or is it a Pieris with those red leaves?  Not sure, has it ever had flowers and if so, what colour?  Does it have spines?

Paul B3

Silver surfer
There is a form :- 'Rubra Grandiflora' ; would presume that refers to the flowers ?

Silver surfer

Lizzie.... if you look you will see tiny leaves  that are typical of Chaenomeles.
these are called stipules.

https://www.google.com/search?q=chaenomeles+sub+leaves&client=firefox-b&biw=1920&bih=943&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=Ks-Ix8HJacULBM%3A%2CNetkg5Sc21AfpM%2C_&usg=__bRMunnby35b9XmuH-eKGzBzYlNI=&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiYiOmqgoHbAhUR6KQKHWSuA7oQ9QEIKzAB#imgrc=Ks-Ix8HJacULBM:

Paul..yes .   Chaenomeles speciosa rubra grandiflora..just refers to very red flowers.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=chaenomeles+speciosa+rubra+grandiflora&rlz=1C1CHBF_enGB785GB785&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjjh7OfgYHbAhVGy6QKHZa7A_gQ_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=949

andychelt1980

Hmmm... It's not particularly spiky and I don't recall it flowering last year. Could it be a photinia?

Silver surfer

Maybe this pic will convince you...new growth can be red.
Do please look at the small rounded leaves called stipules....see above link.
I can see these in your pic.
Photinia do not have these.


https://www.google.co.uk/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enGB785GB785&biw=1920&bih=949&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=OFX3Ws6cL6jKgAb78LXICQ&q=Chaenomeles+red+new+leaves&oq=Chaenomeles+red+new+leaves&gs_l=img.12...6837.8440.0.11103.3.3.0.0.0.0.76.198.3.3.0....0...1c.1.64.img..0.0.0....0.gj4bRU4jmfA#imgrc=i5YniMDRugnXxM:

andychelt1980

Consider me convinced... flowering quince, common name? My missus tells me there were quince-like fruits last year. Thanks very much, I appreciate the info!

Silver surfer

You are very welcome.
Phew that was hard work convincing you!
Many thanks to Mrs andyclelt for her help.

Fruits can be used to make jam/wine etc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaenomeles

Common names can cause problems.
There is a tree called Cydonia oblonga that is the true quince with large pear shaped fruit.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cydonia+oblonga+tree&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi28LOKl4HbAhXNQ8AKHbtdAGgQ_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=943