Chaenomeles x superba ‘Texas Scarlet’

‘Texas Scarlet’ is a hybrid flowering quince (C. japonica x C. speciosa) noted for its bright red flowers and compact shape. It is a dense, broad-rounded, deciduous shrub with often-tangled, occasionally spiny-tipped twigs. It typically grows to 3-4′ tall and to 4-5′ wide. Single watermelon red flowers (to 2″ diameter) bloom, often in profusion, before the leaves fully unfold in an early spring bloom. Flowers are followed by hard, yellowish-green fruits (2.5″ quinces) that may acquire red tinges as they mature in autumn. Quinces are edible, but usually are considered too bitter to be eaten directly from the shrub. Quinces are sometimes used in preserves and jellies. Glossy dark green leaves.  No fall color.