Quince are one of those old time fruits, rarely seen in the markets of today's world. Having lost popularity due to no fault of their own, it's hard to believe that they occupied an important place in the kitchens and gardens of almost every rural home at the beginning of the 20th century. Prized for jelly and added to many cooked foods and meat dishes, quince has a high pectin content and is not commonly thought of for fresh fruit consumption. We're pleased to offer some great varieties. We've also included a couple of wonderful flowering quinces, but these don't have an edible fruit.

Quince varieties (Cydonia oblonga)

AROMATNAYA Aromatnaya, a round yellow quince from southern Russia, has gained a reputation for being deliciously sweet when eaten fresh as well as cooked. Extremely aromatic (thus the name!), with a fresh pineapple-like flavor, it will have a dense texture when first picked (October) but will soften up in a few days. Beautiful small self-fertile tree with pale pink blossoms in spring will be hung with the golden globes of quince by fall. Ornamental as well as very productive and disease resistant, and hardy in zones 5-9. $29.99 3gal(4-5ft).

CHINESE (Pseudocydonia sinensis) Thanks to John Tobe of Tallahassee, FL for sharing this tree, with its lovely bark, pink blooms and large yellow fruit. Like the European type quince, the Chinese quince is great for jams and jellies. Self-fertile. Zones 6-9. $29.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

ORANGE Medium size fruit are round with a golden-colored skin and tender orange-yellow flesh. Excellent cooked in sauces, butters or preseves. Self-fertile. Zones 8A-9B. $29.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

SMYRNA Large, elongated fruit are lemony yellow in color with a tender, highly fragrant flesh. Excellent flavor- one of the best for jellies and preserves. Self-fertile. Zones 8A-9B. $29.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

Non-Fruiting

CLARKE'S WHITE FLOWERING Medium-sized, upright grower that has flowers but no edible fruit (4 ft. wide by 6 ft. high). Profuse white blooms in early spring and sporadically thereafter. Ungrafted. Zones 7-10. Self-pollinating. $29.99 3 gal (2-3ft).

RED CHARLOT FLOWERING Another great bloomer to get you over the winter blues. Red blossoms in early spring and sporadically afterwards. No edible fruit. Ungrafted. Zones 6-9. Self-pollinating. $29.99 3 gal (2-3ft).

TOYO-NISHIKI FLOWERING Gorgeous combinations of white, pink and red in every blossom will delight you each spring. Can grow to 6 ft or more in time but is easily kept smaller. No edible fruit. Ungrafted. Zones 6-9. Self-pollinating. $29.99 3 gal (2-3ft).