Guest Author - Hellie T.

Forsythia is an extremely easy to grow, hardy shrub (to zone 5) and it will flower for you for many years with very little work on your part. It has bright yellow flowers that brighten the early days of spring.

Forsythia is a member of the olive family and was named honour of William Forsyth. William Forsyth (1737-1804) became gardener to the Duke of Northumberland at Syon House. He later became gardener to King George III at Kensington and St James' Palaces and also built the first English rock garden.

The flower colour ranges from pale ivory yellow to deep orangey yellow.The blooms appear in March and April before the leaves. These are bright green and often develop an orangey red tinge before they drop in the autumn. The bark is a grey green colour.

Where to grow

It is best planted at the back of a border or bank and looks stunning when planted as a hedge.
It prefers a sunny spot and will grow in any well drained soil.
It can grow to 8ft or 2.5m.

Once your forsythia has reached the height you want it is best to prune it back. This can be done after it has finished blooming - cut back all the branches that have flowered back to a pair of strong buds.

The best time to plant potted forsythia is in September or October as this gives it time to settle in after the heat of the summer and before the frosts start. Most varieties of forsythia can be propagated easily from cuttings.

Forsythia shoots can be cut and brought into the house to open earlier than those outside and last for several weeks.

Forsythia the Language of flowers means anticipation.

Varieties to try

Spectabilis - is covered in bright yellow flowers and does well in the border or as a solitary shrub or planted in a group of three. Also suitable for hedging.

For smaller gardens try the variety Weekend, a more compact form that is extremely free-flowering.

Courtalyn is also compact shrub, reaching approx 5ft (1.6m) in height.

Forsythia koreana 'Variegata' and several others have a lovely lily-of-the-valley scent.

Golden Nugget - has large golden flowers grows to about 6ft (2m) in height.

Beatrix Farrand -is a vigorous, bushy shrub with deep yellow flowers.

Tremonia – grows to approx 4.9ft - 1.5m has soft pale yellow flowers
Giraldiana is early flowering

Enjoy your garden.