Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Chaenomeles japonica 'Atsuya Hamada'
Atsuya Hamada Japanese Flowering Quince
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Height
- 3 to 4 feet
- Width
- 4 to 5 feet
- Flower color
- Rich red to five petaled flowers with golden yellow stamens
- Foliage color
- Glossy medium green oval leaves emerging bronze when young
- Bloom time
- Late winter to early spring
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Average
- Maintenance
- Low; prune after flowering to shape plants and remove older stems to encourage vigorous growth
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 9
- Wildlife
- Bees and other early season pollinating insects
About this plant
Chaenomeles japonica 'Atsuya Hamada' produces clusters of warm red flowers in late winter to early spring, each bloom formed with rounded petals surrounding golden-yellow stamens that glow against the rich color. The blossoms appear along the branches as the season begins, creating an early display before many shrubs leaf out. Dense branching carries small, glossy green leaves that emerge in spring and fill the stems with fresh foliage through the growing season.
This cultivar traces its heritage to Chaenomeles japonica native to Japan. In gardens it brings early seasonal color to borders, foundation plantings, and informal hedges where the vivid spring flowers provide a welcome burst of color.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Foundation Plantings · Informal Hedges · Pollinator Gardens
Companion plants
Thyme · Switch grasses · Catmint · Penstemons · Coreopsis · Blanket flower
Design tip
Bare branches covered in rich red flowers can make an especially strong statement before the rest of the garden wakes up. Give this quince a visible spot from the house or entry, where its early display can bring color to otherwise quiet late-winter views.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Heronswood Garden.
