Double Take Eternal White® Flowering Quince

Chaenomeles speciosa 'SMNCSDW'

Proven Winners®

Hardy in zones 5-9, compact 2-4 ft height fits perfectly in borders, foundation plantings, and cut flower gardens
Creamy white double flowers bloom continuously from mid-spring through early summer, weeks longer than typical quince varieties
Proven Winners® selection requires minimal maintenance, tolerates heat and drought once established, and has no thorns
Attracts bees and butterflies with abundant blooms while remaining deer resistant with a naturally mounded habit

$26⁶³

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Plant Size

Quart Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Provide at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering. Plants tolerate full sun to part shade, but full sun locations produce the most abundant blooms and the longest flowering period.

Soil: Adapts to most well-drained soils including clay, loam, and sandy conditions. Avoid constantly wet or poorly drained sites which can lead to root problems. Slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal but not critical for success.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply twice weekly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, this shrub is quite drought tolerant and typically needs supplemental water only during prolonged dry spells in summer. Consistent moisture during the blooming period in spring helps extend the flowering season by several weeks.

Pruning Tips

Prune to shape immediately after flowering finishes in late spring or early summer, since Double Take Eternal White blooms on old wood from the previous year's growth. Light pruning maintains the natural mounded form, while harder pruning can rejuvenate older specimens. Avoid fall or early spring pruning which removes flower buds and dramatically reduces bloom display.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer or rose food in early spring just as new growth emerges. A light second feeding after flowering supports healthy growth for next year's blooms. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers in late summer which promote tender growth susceptible to winter damage.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Flowering, Low Maintenance, Attracts pollinators, Drought resistant, Deer-resistant
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	2-4 ft
Width	4-5 ft
Watering Needs	Low
Preferred Soil	Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Spreading, Upright
Blooms In	Spring, Summer
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Chaenomeles speciosa 'SMNCSDW'
Species	speciosa
Cultivar	SMNCSDW
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

About Double Take Eternal White® Flowering Quince

Double Take Eternal White® Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa 'SMNCSDW') transforms spring gardens with weeks of spectacular creamy white double flowers starting in mid-spring and continuing well into early summer. This Proven Winners® introduction lives up to its "Eternal" name by blooming significantly longer than traditional flowering quinces, giving you a month or more of continuous color when most spring bloomers have already faded. The fully double flowers resemble miniature camellias and cover the compact shrub in a stunning display that works beautifully in cut flower arrangements.

A Better Quince for Modern Gardens

Unlike old-fashioned flowering quinces that grow large and thorny, Double Take Eternal White stays naturally compact at 2-4 feet tall and wider than tall, creating a well-behaved mounded form perfect for today's smaller landscapes. The complete absence of thorns makes this quince a pleasure to prune and plant near walkways or patios where spiny branches would be a problem. Its manageable size means you can tuck it into mixed borders, use it as a low hedge, or mass several plants for dramatic spring impact without worrying about it overtaking neighboring plants.

Key Features

Four Seasons of Garden Value

Spring is obviously the star season when hundreds of creamy white blooms appear along bare branches before the foliage fully emerges, creating an eye-catching cloud of white. As flowers fade, clean green foliage provides a tidy backdrop for summer perennials and remains attractive through fall. The dense branching structure adds winter interest to the landscape, especially striking when dusted with snow or backlit by low winter sun.

Wildlife Benefits and Landscape Uses

Early-emerging bees and butterflies rely on flowering quince as one of the first nectar sources available in spring when food is scarce. The dense branching provides excellent nesting sites for songbirds later in the season. Deer typically avoid browsing quince, making this an excellent choice for properties where deer pressure is an issue. The long bloom period means you can cut armfuls of branches for indoor arrangements without diminishing the garden display, and cut branches can be forced indoors in late winter for even earlier blooms.

Design Ideas

Perfect Partners

The creamy white flowers combine beautifully with spring bulbs in shades of purple, blue, yellow, and pink. Try planting early tulips, grape hyacinths, or daffodils at the base for a layered spring display. In mixed borders, pair Double Take Eternal White with later-blooming shrubs like lilacs or weigelas to extend the season of interest. The compact size makes it suitable for foundation plantings where it won't block windows or require constant trimming to keep it in bounds.

Care Guide

Easy Care for Busy Gardeners

Once established, this shrub asks for very little. It tolerates heat, handles drought, and adapts to various soil types without complaint. The naturally attractive form needs minimal pruning to look its best. Unlike many spring bloomers that exhaust themselves with a brief burst of flowers, Double Take Eternal White parcels out its energy over many weeks, giving you lasting value from a single planting. This is a shrub you plant once and enjoy for decades with virtually no maintenance beyond an annual light shaping.

Explore More from Nature Hills

The Double Take Eternal White® Flowering Quince joins our exceptional collection of flowering shrubs and proven winners® varieties that deliver reliable garden performance season after season. This compact beauty pairs wonderfully with other low maintenance plants and deer resistant plants for effortless landscaping success. For expert care tips, explore our guide on Timing for Pruning Flowering Shrubs and discover more compact options in Best Dwarf Flowering Shrubs For Small Spaces & Big Impact.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Double Take Eternal White Quince have thorns?

Double Take Eternal White Quince is completely thornless, unlike traditional flowering quinces that have spiny branches. This makes it safe to plant near walkways and patios where thorny shrubs would be problematic. You can prune and maintain it without protective gear.

What are the planting or spacing requirements for Double Take Eternal White Quince?

Plant Double Take Eternal White Quince 4-6 feet apart to accommodate its mature spread of 2-4 feet wide. This compact shrub works well in mixed borders, as low hedging, or massed for impact. Shop at Nature Hills for healthy plants ready to transform your spring garden.

What type of sun exposure does Double Take Eternal White Quince need?

Double Take Eternal White Quince thrives in full sun to partial shade, with best flowering occurring in locations receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Morning sun is particularly important for optimal bloom production and disease prevention. Plant in a spot with good air circulation to maintain the healthy foliage that supports those spectacular month-long spring displays.

How do I prune or maintain Double Take Eternal White Quince?

Prune Double Take Eternal White Quince right after flowering ends in early summer to avoid removing next year's buds. This thornless variety is easy to shape and maintain at its natural 2-4 foot size. Light annual pruning keeps the compact form tidy.

Is Double Take Eternal White Quince drought tolerant or heat tolerant?

Double Take Eternal White Quince shows good drought tolerance once established, typical of flowering quinces. While not specifically bred for extreme heat, its compact 2-4 foot size makes it easier to water during hot spells. Provide regular water the first year, then it should handle normal dry periods well when you shop at Nature Hills.

Double Take Eternal White® Flowering Quince

Chaenomeles speciosa 'SMNCSDW'