The
Japan Quince (Pyrus Japonica, Cydonia Japonica)
was a splendid garden tree. It flowered just after the
turn of the year, which required that it be planted
in a sheltered position. The Japan Quince did not produce
much fruit, and the Victorian gardener did not expect
it ... but, sometimes, if the tree was nestled against
a warm wall, and well sheltered, then a few fruits might
be found. Hibberd commented that he had yet to hear
of anyone actually eating these fruits.
Since
1880 there had been a number of very fine varieties
of the Pyrus available in England - with scarlet,
flesh-coloured, pink, mottled and even pure white flowers.
