Beyond the balcony: Magnolias & Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles)

A few of the many, many photos I shot this weekend. The Magnolia liliiflora (top photo) is blooming in our condominium's garden. I'm not sure about the other magnolia's identity (second photo). The remaining photos are of several different flowering quince (Chaenomeles) shrubs all growing in private gardens.

Quince Crush

Chaenomeles speciosa (unknown cultivar) on a busy street corner near my home.

Yes, it must be a botanical crush. How else to explain why this flowering quince  has been my 365 project photo three times (days 21, 48 & 54) since January 1st. I admit I'm strongly attracted to the salmon-pink blossoms and have romantic notions of making quince jelly. Though I can't grow this shrub on the balcony, I wonder if I could recommend it to my mom for her garden (& thereby secure a source of fruit for jelly-making.)

So this evening, I decided to begin my research. Here are a few notable finds:

Botanical, horticultural & culinary links --

• Wikipedia's entry for Chaenomeles

• Flowering Quince: Cinderella of the Early Spring Garden

•  Kwantlen Polytechnic University, School of Horticulture plant database, Chaenomeles speciosa

• University of Conneticut's plant database, Chaenomeles speciosa

• Chaenomeles japonica

• Quince jelly

• How to use the fruit of the flowering quince