Red Elderberry vs Japanese Quince - TreeTime.ca

Red Elderberry vs Japanese Quince

Chaenomeles japonica

Sambucus racemosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Japanese Quince
Red Elderberry

Japanese Quince has bright, orange to red showy flowers that bloom in early spring. The flowers appear before the leaves and may continue to bloom after leaves emerge. Flowers grow on old wood, so pruning after flowering will help to promote new growth next spring. They produce yellow-green fruit that taste bitter when eaten raw, typically they are better suited for making preserves.

It can be used as a stand alone ornamental shrub, as a low hedge, or can be trained to grow against a wall. In late winter, branches of Japanese Quince can be cut and brought indoors where they will bloom on their own. They are deer and rabbit tolerant. The branches are spiny making them well suited for keeping unwanted wildlife away.

Note: This species is currently unavailable. Grow your own using Japanese Quince seeds at SeedTime.ca.

Red Elderberry is an attractive, medium-sized deciduous shrub.

It produces clusters of white flowers in the spring and bright red berry-like drupes, which provide beautiful contrast against its coarse, textured green foliage.

Red Elder can be pruned as a small single or multi-stemmed tree.

Note: This species is currently unavailable. Grow your own using Red Elderberry seeds at SeedTime.ca.

Japanese Quince Quick Facts

Red Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: bright red berries
Flavor: bitter
Harvest: fall
Flowers: showy, red-orange
Flowers: white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none




Toxicity: toxic to humans
Other Names: flowering quince, maules quince
Other Names: red elder