quince 'Meech's Prolific'
quince (syn. Cydonia oblonga Meech's Prolific)
Delivery options
- Standard £7.95
This tree is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.
- Position: full sun
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: April
- Hardiness: fully hardy
'Meech's Prolific' is a popular and self-fertile quince variety, prized for both its fruiting and ornamental qualities. It reliably produces large, pear-shaped fruits that ripen to yellow, emitting a distinctive sweet scent. The flesh softens to a beautiful rose-pink, and when cooked, makes excellent purees, jellies, jams, and quince cheese (membrillo). In spring, the tree displays large, subtle pink flowers, followed by dark green curled leaves on uniquely twisted branches. Originating from America, this variety can thrive in most of Britain with a sunny sheltered site, and despite their Mediterranean origins, quinces are well-suited for damp soils and heavy clay.
When planting your quince, prepare a hole up to three times the diameter of its root system. Fork over the base of the pit in readiness, incorporating plenty of organic matter into the backfill and planting hole. Avoiding frozen and waterlogged soil, trees should be planted out as they arrive. If you've ordered a bare root tree, soak the roots in a bucket of water for half an hour prior to planting, or if this is not possible, they can be heeled in temporarily, covering their roots with soil, or potted up. Ensure newly planted quince trees receive ample watering during their initial growing season. Prune in late winter or early spring, removing diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots. Shoots that are growing in unwanted directions can also be pruned out. The fruits can be stored in a cool, dry and dark place on shallow trays for up to three months. Allow the fruits to mature for six weeks before using.