Japanese Flowering Quince Chaenomeles Madame Butterfly = 'Whitice'
ABOUT
The Chaenomeles Madame Butterfly, often referred to as Japanese Quince or Flowering Quince, showcases a stunning display with its ornate, double flowers. The blossoms exhibit a delicate peachy-pink hue often blending with creamy white tones, creating a mesmerizing, multi-dimensional appearance. The petals are numerous and overlapping, contributing to the plush, luxuriant character of the blooms which provide a visually enticing contrast against the foliage. The leaves are a glossy, dark green, offering a luscious backdrop that accentuates the softness of the flowers. After the flowering period, the plant produces fruit that can add further interest, although it's mainly the spectacular springtime blossoms that attract enthusiasts. The Japanese Quince's intricate flowers exude a discreet charm that invokes a cottage garden feel, making it a favored choice for decorative hedging or as a standalone feature in a garden setting.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae.
Synonyms
Double Take Orange Storm Quince, Orange Storm Flowering Quince, Double Take Orange Storm Chaenomeles.
Common names
Chaenomeles 'Whitice'.
ToxicityTo humans
The flowering quince is not commonly listed as a poisonous plant to humans; however, the seeds of this plant contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide when metabolized. Ingestion of the seeds in large quantities can cause symptoms of cyanide poisoning, which include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, confusion, convulsions, and potentially can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Ingesting other parts of the plant, such as leaves or stems, is unlikely to cause serious poisoning but may result in gastrointestinal upset due to the presence of tannins and other compounds.
To pets
The flowering quince is similarly not specifically classified as toxic to pets, but as with humans, its seeds contain amygdalin and can release cyanide when digested. If a pet consumes a significant amount of seeds, it could experience cyanide poisoning. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning in pets can include vomiting, difficulty breathing, seizures, collapse, and potentially death without prompt veterinary attention. Like humans, pets may also experience mild gastrointestinal upset if they ingest other parts of the plant. Owners should ensure that pets do not consume the seeds or chew on other parts of the flowering quince.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Spread
4 feet (1.22 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Provides a beautiful display of double pink flowers that add visual interest to gardens.
- Attracts Wildlife: Flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing biodiversity.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers multi-season interest with flowers in spring and fruit in late summer to autumn.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can tolerate periods of dryness, making it suitable for xeriscaping.
- Cold Hardy: Can withstand cool temperatures, making it a suitable choice for temperate regions.
- Versatile Landscaping: Can be used as a specimen plant, in borders, or as a hedge, allowing for various design uses.
- Edible Fruit: Produces quince-like fruit that can be used in preserves and jellies (though these are not commonly consumed raw).
- Adaptable: Tolerates a range of soil types though it prefers well-drained soil.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Culinary Use: The fruit of Madame Butterfly, or Japanese Quince, can be made into jellies, marmalades or preserves due to its high pectin content.
- Landscape Design: With its decorative flowers, the plant is often used in gardens for aesthetic purposes, providing a beautiful flowering display in spring.
- Bonsai: Due to its striking flowers and branches, Japanese Quince is a popular choice for bonsai enthusiasts, providing a stunning miniature ornamental tree.
- Wildlife Habitat: Offering early spring blossoms, it can serve as an important nectar source for pollinators such as bees when other food sources are scarce.
- Livestock Forage: In some rural areas, the tough leaves and branches may serve as forage for goats and other livestock, particularly in times of feed scarcity.
- Photography Subject: The vibrant blossoms provide a perfect subject for photographers, especially for macro photography, capturing the intricate details of the flowers.
- Floral Arrangements: The branches with blooming flowers are often used in floral arrangements, especially in Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement.
- Rootstock: The sturdy nature of the Japanese Quince makes it suitable for use as a rootstock to graft other quince varieties or even certain pear cultivars.
- Edible Landscaping: Being both ornamental and producing edible fruit, Japanese Quince can be integrated into edible landscaping projects.
- Craft Material: The branches of the Japanese Quince can be used in crafting, such as making wreaths or as part of wooden decorative objects.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Japanese quince is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Japanese quince is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: Chaenomeles, commonly known as Flowering Quince, often blooms early in the spring, pushing through the last of winter's cold. This early bloom symbolizes the plant's resilience and the ability to endure hardships.
- Beauty and Charm: With its attractive blossoms, the Flowering Quince represents beauty and the allure of nature, reminding observers of the aesthetic pleasures in the world.
- Good Fortune: In some cultures, the Flowering Quince is associated with luck and prosperity. Its vibrant flowers are seen as an omen of good things to come, making it a positive symbol in various traditions.
- New Beginnings: The springtime flowering of the Quince can also represent renewal and the start of new phases in life, as it is one of the first plants to herald the coming of spring.
WaterThe Flowering Quince 'Madame Butterfly' should be watered deeply once every 7 to 10 days, depending on the weather conditions and soil moisture levels. The goal is to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. In the hot, dry summer months, you may need to water more frequently, while in the cooler, wetter seasons, you can water less often. When watering, slowly apply approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons of water for smaller plants and up to 2 to 3 gallons for larger, established shrubs to ensure deep soil penetration. During winter, reduce the watering frequency as the plant's water requirements decrease.
LightThe Flowering Quince 'Madame Butterfly' thrives best in full sun to partial shade. It should be placed in a location where it can receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Full sun exposure leads to the best flowering results, but the plant will tolerate light afternoon shade, particularly in hot climates.
TemperatureThe Flowering Quince 'Madame Butterfly' can survive in temperatures ranging from 10°F to 90°F, though it performs best when the temperature is between 60°F and 80°F. Freezing temperatures below 10°F may damage the plant, while excessively high temperatures above 90°F can cause stress if not adequately watered and mulched.
PruningThe Flowering Quince 'Madame Butterfly' should be pruned to shape the plant, remove any dead or damaged wood, and encourage stronger growth. The best time to prune is immediately after flowering in late spring to shape the plant and ensure that next year's flower buds are not removed. Pruning once a year is typically sufficient, but light trimming can be done throughout the growing season to maintain desired aesthetics.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFlowering Quince 'Madame Butterfly' thrives in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter; a mix of loam, compost, and coarse sand is ideal. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0 for optimal growth.
RepottingFlowering Quince 'Madame Butterfly' does not require frequent repotting and can be done every 2-3 years, or when it has outgrown its container, to ensure healthy growth.
Humidity & MistingFlowering Quince 'Madame Butterfly' is adaptable but prefers a moderate humidity level; avoiding extremely low humidity conditions is beneficial for the plant's health.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright indirect light, water moderately.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleChaenomeles 'Madame Butterfly', commonly known as Double Take Orange quince, begins its life cycle with seed germination, typically requiring a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. Seedlings develop into juvenile plants and, with proper care, mature into flowering shrubs. The plant enters a stage of vegetative growth, characterized by the development of spiny branches and glossy green leaves. In early spring, before the leaves emerge, 'Madame Butterfly' bursts into bloom with large, double orange flowers that resemble those of a camellia. Once pollinated, the flowers potentially set fruit, which are fragrant but hard, apple-like pomes that may be used in preserves. The plant goes through periods of active growth and dormancy annually, with the dormant period in winter where it sheds leaves and stores energy for the subsequent blooming season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Chaenomeles 'Madame Butterfly', commonly known as Flowering Quince, is most frequently propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. This method involves taking cuttings in late summer when the growth from the current season has begun to mature but is not yet fully hardened. These cuttings are usually 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) in length and have several leaves at the top. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end is often treated with a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then placed in a well-draining soil mix, keeping it moist until roots have established. To maintain high humidity around the cutting, a plastic bag or a propagator can be used. Roots typically develop within several weeks, after which the new plants can be potted up and grown on.
