Vranja Quince Trees

Vranja Quince

Vranja - Quince trees (which are now known as Cydonia oblonga rather than Pyrus cydonia) produce wonderfully scented fruit which when ripe are almost gold in colour. The quince is a native of Dagestani mountainsides and as such is extremely hardy but, like all quinces, needs decent sun to fruit well. As it is planted further north, Vranja needs an increasingly warm spot, and by the time it gets to Yorkshire, a sunny wall or corner is necessary for reliable crops.

Browse our range of quince trees or the full variety of fruit trees.

• Culinary
• Scented fruit
• Heavy crops
• Harvest September & October
• Can be fan trained
• Self-fertile
• RHS Plants for Pollinators

As well as being edible, quince trees are ornamental and look as good as the centrepiece of a lawn as your average garden tree. Vranja (like Meeches Prolific and Serbian Gold, the other quinces that do well in the UK) is self-fertile. It flowers in May and carries heavy crops of very fragrant fruit - quinces were once used as room fresheners - which can be picked in September and October. Vranja probably carries more individual fruit than Meeches or Serbian Gold, so they tend to be a bit smaller. 

If you want to buy quince trees and have never grown them before, this is probably the one we would recommend to a beginner.

Quinces like good soil with plenty of well rotted organic matter added to it. The fruit can be huge and so need plenty of moisture in the ground. At the same time they hate standing water so good drainage is really important (just think of an Iranian mountainside). 

How to plant Cydonia oblonga Vranja trees:

Bare root trees are available for planting in the dormant season, between November and March. Container grown plants can be bought all year round - although planting in winter is preferable.

Quince trees need a sunny, sheltered site away from frost pockets with soil that retains moisture during summer but is freely draining through winter.

Dig a hole no deeper than the root ball, but around three times the diameter. Fork over the bottom of the hole and add in some well rotted compost or manure, as well as dressing of Rootgrow mcycorrhizal fungi.

Place the tree in the hole and backfill with soil. Firm in to place. Stake in the direction of the prevailing wind. Keep well watered in dry weather, mulch and top dress with a general-purpose fertiliser in spring.

Container grown plants should be fed fortnightly from early spring with a liquid feed. Quinces are pruned in winter.

Spacing Vranja quince trees:

Freestanding bushes: 12-18 feet (4-6 metres) between trees and rows.
Freestanding half-standards: 18-30 feet (6-10 metres) between trees and rows.
In general, allow 1 more metre between rows than there is between each tree in the row.

Watch our video on how to plant a fruit tree for full instructions on planting a bush or half-standard sized tree.

If you are growing a maiden sized fruit tree into a freestanding tree, a bamboo cane is enough support.
If you are growing a cordon or espalier, you will need to install training wires to support them.
Remember to water establishing fruit trees during dry weather for at least a year after planting.

Fruit Tree Planting Accessories:

For bush and half standard fruit trees, our tree planting pack includes a wooden stake & rubber tie to support the tree and a biodegradable mulch mat with pegs, which protects the soil at the base of your tree from drying out and stops weeds from sprouting.