Fruit ID please?

[Paulieb]

Hi,

Moved into our new house back in the spring, and only today (been busy growing everything else), we noticed a bush about 1m high and 1m diameter close to the back door had some fruit on it.

We don't know what it is, Mrs P says gages, I say quince.

Can anyone tell us what it is for sure from the picture, and any thoughts about this growing right against the back of the house?

[sewer rat]

Unlikely to be gages if it's a 1m bush. It looks like Japanese quince to me - usually grown as an ornamental but the fruit can be made into a delicious jelly as a bonus.

[FB.]

As said above: not likely to be a plum or gage - they don't have dimples on the ends of the fruit, don't usually have ribbed sides and don't tend to grow on "spurs" of old wood deep inside the tree.
I'm not sure what it is though.........

[taff]

going with sewer rat, looks like quince
Word of experience, it makes a much nicer jelly if you use the fruit before it's completely ripe, amber in colour instead of dark red wine, lighter and spicier...

[rustylady]

It's a quince. Don't suppose you noticed the flowers when you moved?

[Flummery]

I think it's a quince too. It needs longer to ripen but when it is, it has the most glorious scent. You can make quice jelly, quince leather (like a chewy Turkish Delight) or add one or two to apples for pies. Google for recipes, there are loads.

[Paulieb]

Thanks everyone.

We did notice some flowers early on, but they were all on the 'house' side of the bush (none facing outwards) so don't really remember the colour, could have been red or lilac. Very helpful I know!!

Will keep an eye out for them ripening.

[Two_Sheds]

Quince, I've got one, it has bright pink flowers in the spring and is quite thorny. I hate pink and I don't use the fruits (only get 2 or 3 a year), but it's good as a support for clematis

[baldrick]

Is quince the same as japonica? If the flowers are red it is definately a japonica. My nana used to make lovely jam from the fruit. Think everone in the family had a japonica bush struck as a cutting from Nana's original. The original and Nana are both gone now, and I think only Dad has a daughter plant still going. No one makes the jam any more but I have now come over all sentimental and wanting a japonica jam butty on white crusty bread from the bread man that you have to slice......

[Paulieb]

Quince, I've got one, it has bright pink flowers in the spring and is quite thorny. I hate pink and I don't use the fruits (only get 2 or 3 a year), but it's good as a support for clematis

Funny you should say that as there is a clematis climbing up the wall behind it.