I have three flowering quince bushes in the front quarter of the garden. One is seven years old, full and bushy, strong and well established. The two others have been here for five years according to my notes, so not that much less, but compared to their older brother, they’re scraggly and weak.

This year those two decided to flower before putting out any leaves. Now they are covered so densely with flowers that they’re like bonfires.

I wonder if it is a stress reaction of some sort. Aspens are flowering incredibly intensely this year and spreading their fluff everywhere in amounts that I’ve never seen before, and I’ve been told it’s a reaction to last summer’s heat and drought. Who knows, maybe the quinces do the same?