Flowering Quince belongs to the rose family, and the connection shows in those early spring flowers that appear on naked stems before the leaves have even considered moving. The genus name draws from Greek roots meaning to split and apple, a reference to the apple-blossom form of the flowers, which come in white, pink, and every shade of red depending on the cultivar. The plants are deciduous shrubs from Asia, growing 2 to 6 feet tall, and many carry thorns that make them useful as security plantings or dense boundary hedges. Blooming occurs on old wood, so pruning should be light and timed for just after the flowers fade — the gardener who prunes in autumn will sacrifice the following year's display.

The golden-yellow fruits that develop after flowering are one of the undersung pleasures of this plant. Fragrant in a way that confounds expectations — a complex blend of pineapple, lemon, and vanilla — they are too astringent to eat raw but make excellent preserves and jellies. The juice has historically served as a lemon substitute. For the best flowering, plant in full sun, though flowering quinces will tolerate partial shade with some loss of bloom. They adapt to a wide range of soils and, once established, manage dry spells without complaint. In late winter, branches cut and brought indoors will force into flower in a warm room, carrying the promise of spring into the house weeks ahead of schedule.