Discover the allure of ‘Double Take Scarlet Quince’—a vibrant, low-maintenance flowering shrub that transforms gardens with its bold red blooms and thornless branches. This shopping guide helps you select the best plants and accessories, ensuring you create a stunning outdoor sanctuary. Perfect for busy gardeners and landscape enthusiasts alike, ‘Double Take Scarlet Quince’ adds lasting color, charm, and curb appeal to any space.
Double Take Scarlet Quince: Comparison Table
| Variety | Flower Color | Height | Spread | Habit | Key Features | Bloom Time | Application Uses | Hardiness Zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Take® Scarlet | Crimson Red | 4-5 ft | 3-4 ft | Mounded | Thornless, deer-resistant, no fruit, drought tolerant | Early-Mid-Late Spring | Borders, hedges, cutting, mass plantings | 5-9 |
| Double Take® Peach | Coral Peach | 4-5 ft | 3-4 ft | Mounded | Thornless, deer-resistant, drought tolerant | Spring | Same as above | 5-9 |
| Double Take® Orange | Vibrant Orange | 4-5 ft | 3-4 ft | Mounded | Thornless, deer-resistant, drought tolerant | Spring | Same as above | 5-9 |
| Double Take® Pink | Bright Pink | 4-5 ft | 3-4 ft | Mounded | Thornless, deer-resistant, drought tolerant | Spring | Same as above | 5-9 |
All Double Take varieties share key core features. Only the flower color varies, letting you mix and match for a multi-hued spring display.
Compatibility and Function
Where Double Take Scarlet Quince Thrives
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 through 9. This covers a significant range of US climates.
- Light Requirements: Best performance in full sun (a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight). It tolerates partial sun (4-6 hours) and will survive in light shade, but flower production is superior in higher light.
- Soil Adaptability: Prefers well-drained soils. Loamy soils are optimal, but it’s tolerant of a variety of soil types as long as drainage is adequate.
Functional Use Cases for Your Landscape
- Mixed Borders: Creates bright, early color among later-blooming perennials, bulbs, and shrubs.
- Hedges & Screens: Moderate height and dense mounded habit make it ideal for living fences—with the added benefit of being thornless.
- Mass Plantings: For dramatic impact, plant in groups to form a bank of bold red blooms.
- Cutting Gardens: The camellia-like, double blossoms are outstanding for early spring cut flower arrangements when little else is in bloom.
- Wildlife & Pollinator Gardens: Attracts early pollinators such as bees, but is unappealing to deer and rabbits.
- Container Culture: Large containers can support Double Take quinces on patios or balconies—a good option for those with limited yard space.
Installation Tips
Planting Your Double Take Scarlet Quince
- Best Planting Time: Choose early spring or fall. This allows roots to establish before summer heat or deep freeze.
- Site Selection: Aim for a sunny spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun. Ensure the soil drains well; avoid locations where water pools after rain.
- Spacing: Allow 3 to 4 feet between plants to achieve full, lush growth and airflow.
- Planting Depth: Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Set the shrub at the same depth it was growing in the pot.
- Backfilling and Watering: Fill with native soil, water well to remove air pockets, and apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch without piling against the stem.
Ideal Companions
- Spring bulbs (daffodils, crocus) for layered color.
- Mid- and late-season perennials (salvia, ornamental grasses) for continued interest.
- Other Double Take varieties for a rainbow effect in spring.
Maintenance Advice
Ongoing Care
- Watering: Keep soil moderately moist during the establishment period (first season). Once established, Double Take Scarlet is very drought tolerant—only requiring supplemental water during extended dry spells.
- Feeding: Apply a controlled-release, balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges for best bloom performance.
- Mulching: Mulch yearly to suppress weeds and regulate soil moisture, but keep mulch clear of the main stem.
- Pruning: Prune annually after flowering. Remove any damaged or dead wood and shape if needed. Note: Double Take Scarlet blooms on old wood, so pruning too early can reduce flower display.
- Winter Care: Generally hardy, but applying an extra layer of mulch at the base in late fall can help in colder zones.
- Pest & Disease Resistance: Remarkably resilient. Pest issues are rare, but keep an eye out for aphids or leaf spots in extremely wet years.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Sparse Blooming: Usually caused by too much shade or heavy pruning at the wrong time.
- Sudden Decline: Check drainage—standing water can cause root rot. Also look for signs of graft incompatibility or accidental blending with other species during nursery production.
- Unwanted Growth: Sometimes rootstock may overtake if the main shrub is damaged. Remove suckers at the base if they appear different from the desired growth.
Practical Tips and Best Practices
- Prioritize Sun: For the boldest blooms, choose the sunniest spot in your garden.
- Plan for Growth: Give adequate space for mature spread to reduce need for corrective pruning.
- Avoid Overfertilizing: This shrub thrives in average soils and doesn’t need lots of extra feed. Too much fertilizer causes excess leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
- Combine for Color: Plant alongside peach, pink, or orange Double Take quinces for a vibrant spring tapestry.
- Use as a Focal Point: Single plants shine as specimen shrubs in small urban gardens or courtyards.
- Accessible for All: The thornless variety makes it safe for planting along paths and in children’s play areas.
- Cutting Blooms: For arrangements, snip branches when buds are showing color, and place immediately in water for longest vase life.
Double Take Scarlet Quince: Technical Comparison Table
| Attribute | Double Take® Scarlet | Double Take® Peach | Double Take® Orange | Double Take® Pink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Scarlet Storm’ | C. speciosa cultivar | C. speciosa cultivar | C. speciosa cultivar |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | 5-9 | 5-9 | 5-9 | 5-9 |
| Height (Mature) | 4-5 ft | 4-5 ft | 4-5 ft | 4-5 ft |
| Spread (Mature) | 3-4 ft | 3-4 ft | 3-4 ft | 3-4 ft |
| Habit | Mounded | Mounded | Mounded | Mounded |
| Bloom Time | Early to late spring | Early spring | Early spring | Early spring |
| Flower Size | Large, double | Large, double | Large, double | Large, double |
| Thornless | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deer Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drought Tolerance | High | High | High | High |
| Fruit Production | None | None | None | None |
| Pruning Time | After flowering | After flowering | After flowering | After flowering |
Related Video
Conclusion
Double Take Scarlet Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa ‘Scarlet Storm’) is a stellar choice for those wanting vibrant, low-maintenance color early in the garden season. Its large, double red blooms rival camellias for impact, while its thornless stems, deer-resistance, and drought tolerance make it practical for diverse modern landscapes. Whether grouped for a mass of color, shaped into a hedge, or cut for indoor arrangements, this shrub delivers lasting beauty with little fuss. With simple planting and care, it rewards you year after year, brightening gardens before most other shrubs have awakened. For gardeners seeking reliable spring color and minimal hassle, Double Take Scarlet Quince stands out as a superior pick.
FAQ
What is Double Take Scarlet Quince?
Double Take Scarlet Quince is a deciduous shrub known for its dazzling, double-petaled, bright red flowers. Unlike traditional quinces, it is thornless, rarely troubled by deer, extremely drought tolerant once mature, and does not produce fruit.
Where does Double Take Scarlet Quince grow best?
This shrub thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9. It performs best in full sun but will tolerate partial sun. It’s adaptable to various soil types as long as they are well-drained.
Is Double Take Scarlet Quince safe for families and pets?
Yes, it is thornless, making it an excellent and safe choice for gardens frequented by children and pets. It is also non-toxic and does not bear any fruit that could pose a risk.
Does Double Take Scarlet Quince require a lot of maintenance?
No, it is considered an easy-care shrub. Basic needs include annual pruning after flowering, occasional watering during dry spells, and a simple springtime fertilizer application.
How big does Double Take Scarlet Quince get?
At maturity, expect it to reach about 4-5 feet in height with a spread of 3-4 feet. The plant holds a dense, mounded form ideal for hedges, borders, or stand-alone specimens.
Does it attract wildlife or pollinators?
While it is deer and rabbit resistant, the showy early spring blooms do attract bees and other pollinators, helping to support beneficial insect populations in your garden.
When is the best time to plant Double Take Scarlet Quince?
The ideal planting times are spring and fall. Planting in these seasons reduces transplant shock and helps establish strong root systems before harsh weather arrives.
Why isn’t my Double Take Scarlet Quince blooming well?
Common causes include insufficient sunlight (it needs at least 6 hours of sun), over-pruning (especially before it blooms, since it flowers on old wood), or poor soil drainage.
Can Double Take Scarlet Quince be grown in containers?
Yes! Plant in a large, well-draining container. Place it in a sunny spot and treat it as you would in-ground plants: consistent water during establishment and annual fertilizer.
Is this quince variety suitable for hedges or mass plantings?
Absolutely. Its dense, mounded growth makes it an excellent choice for informal hedges, group plantings, or even as a colorful anchor in mixed borders.
With these details and practical tips, you’re empowered to choose, plant, and care for Double Take Scarlet Quince, ensuring a stunning garden display for years to come.