Dutchmans pipe vs Japanese Quince - TreeTime.ca

Dutchmans pipe vs Japanese Quince

Chaenomeles japonica

Aristolochia macrophylla

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Japanese Quince
Dutchmans pipe

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.

The Dutchman’s Pipe is a fast growing, deciduous, woody, climbing vine. Featuring large heart-shaped leaves that overlap and often hide the flowers. The Dutchman’s Pipe namesake comes from the long yellow-green, brown or purple flowers that flare at the end, resembling Dutch smoking pipes.

The Dutchman’s Pipe will make a great screen or shade in your urban landscape, but does require support from a trellis or a fence. To control the growth, cut back in late winter.

Japanese Quince Quick Facts

Dutchmans pipe Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 4a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: toxic/poisonous to people and animals
Flowers: showy, red-orange
Flowers: green/brown/ purple, pipe shaped
Fruit: greenish yellow
Flavor: bitter
Harvest: fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: flowering quince, maules quince
Other Names: broad leaf birthwort, pipevine, wild ginger