Double Take Scarlet Flowering Quince is a striking ornamental shrub bred by Dr. Tom Ranney's team at North Carolina State University's Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center. This cultivar of Chaenomeles speciosa reaches 4 feet tall and thrives in zones 5 through 9, delivering spectacular fully doubled scarlet blooms each spring. What truly sets it apart is its thornless branches, a practical improvement that makes this traditional spring favorite far easier to work with than standard quince varieties. The lush, vivid flowers arrive reliably year after year, transforming early spring landscapes with dense color.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
48in H x ?in W
—
High
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The most remarkable feature of Double Take Scarlet is how Dr. Ranney's breeding work removed the thorns that make most quince varieties a challenge to prune and handle. The fully doubled blossoms are genuinely stunning, packed with petals in a rich scarlet shade that's difficult to find elsewhere in spring bloomers. Growing just 4 feet tall and hardy to zone 5, this shrub delivers maximum visual impact in a compact footprint without requiring protective gloves during maintenance.
Double Take Scarlet Flowering Quince functions primarily as an ornamental spring shrub, valued for its dramatic early-season blooms rather than for fruit production. The fully doubled flowers make it a focal point in mixed borders, foundation plantings, and spring gardens where color impact matters most.
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Prune Double Take Scarlet immediately after flowering ends in spring to shape the shrub and encourage next year's blooms. Because this cultivar features thornless branches, pruning is far more comfortable than with standard quince varieties. Remove any crossing or crowded canes to open the canopy and improve air circulation. Light shaping maintains the compact 4-foot stature without aggressive cutting.
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“Double Take Scarlet Flowering Quince emerged from deliberate breeding work at North Carolina State University's Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center under Dr. Tom Ranney's leadership. Rather than being an ancient heirloom, this cultivar represents modern horticultural improvement, specifically targeting the thornless trait that makes it distinct from wild and traditional quince species. Ranney's team developed this variety to preserve the spectacular spring color gardeners love while removing one of the most practical frustrations of growing quince, making it accessible to a wider range of gardeners.”