The Forsythias
The forsythias are popular flowering shrubs. Somewhat resistant to deer, the plants are easy to grow. They are also called golden bells.
The forsythias are native to Japan, China, and Europe. Three species are in cultivation along with some hybrids. The main difference from one species to another is often the flower color.
The growth habit and plant size can also differ as well. Many forsythias have
upright or arching branches.
In general, forsythia blossoms open on mostly older wood. However, there is one variety that bears blooms on both the old and new twigs. Forsythia stems are easy to force into bloom in late winter.
General Description of Forsythia
Most forsythias are usually 10 feet or less in height. The opposite leaves can be toothed. The foliage can turn burgundy or purple in the fall.
The forsythias are free flowering plant. The blooms seem immune to frost and cold. The flowers begin opening in very late winter.
Very showy, the flowers appear in the leaf axils. Often, these blooms are in clusters of three or so per cluster. However, in some cases there are up to five blooms per cluster.
Forsythia flowers emerge before the leaves. The branches and twigs are typically covered with the crowded blooms. These are typically ¾ to 1 ½ inch wide.
Forsythia fruits are capsules. These contain lots of winged seeds.
Growing Forsythia
Forsythia is so easy to grow and is a good choice for novice gardeners. The adaptable plant needs little pruning. When this is needed, do so right after it quits blooming in the spring.
This shrub is suited to most soil types provided they aren’t constantly wet. The plant prefers a well drained soil. This does well in full sun and part shade.
Use this plant as an informal hedge or screen, and as a ground cover for banks as well as in shrub borders. These shrubs need a moderate amount of water.
Generally, the forsythias do well in the Lower South, the Middle South, and the Upper South.
Several hybrids and various species of forsythias are in cultivation. Green stem forsythia was native to China. It grows to about 10 feet in height under good growing conditions. It is hardy to minus thirteen to a minus seventeen degrees F.
The plant is named for the bright green stems that provide color throughout the winter. The blooms are just slightly less showy than those of the other forsythias. They are bright greenish-yellow.
Gardeners will also find a weeping forsythia, which is a cultivar of Korean forsythia. This plant is 5 to 10 feet in height. It is recommended for zones 5 through 8.
The forsythias are native to Japan, China, and Europe. Three species are in cultivation along with some hybrids. The main difference from one species to another is often the flower color.
The growth habit and plant size can also differ as well. Many forsythias have
upright or arching branches.
In general, forsythia blossoms open on mostly older wood. However, there is one variety that bears blooms on both the old and new twigs. Forsythia stems are easy to force into bloom in late winter.
General Description of Forsythia
Most forsythias are usually 10 feet or less in height. The opposite leaves can be toothed. The foliage can turn burgundy or purple in the fall.
The forsythias are free flowering plant. The blooms seem immune to frost and cold. The flowers begin opening in very late winter.
Very showy, the flowers appear in the leaf axils. Often, these blooms are in clusters of three or so per cluster. However, in some cases there are up to five blooms per cluster.
Forsythia flowers emerge before the leaves. The branches and twigs are typically covered with the crowded blooms. These are typically ¾ to 1 ½ inch wide.
Forsythia fruits are capsules. These contain lots of winged seeds.
Growing Forsythia
Forsythia is so easy to grow and is a good choice for novice gardeners. The adaptable plant needs little pruning. When this is needed, do so right after it quits blooming in the spring.
This shrub is suited to most soil types provided they aren’t constantly wet. The plant prefers a well drained soil. This does well in full sun and part shade.
Use this plant as an informal hedge or screen, and as a ground cover for banks as well as in shrub borders. These shrubs need a moderate amount of water.
Generally, the forsythias do well in the Lower South, the Middle South, and the Upper South.
Several hybrids and various species of forsythias are in cultivation. Green stem forsythia was native to China. It grows to about 10 feet in height under good growing conditions. It is hardy to minus thirteen to a minus seventeen degrees F.
The plant is named for the bright green stems that provide color throughout the winter. The blooms are just slightly less showy than those of the other forsythias. They are bright greenish-yellow.
Gardeners will also find a weeping forsythia, which is a cultivar of Korean forsythia. This plant is 5 to 10 feet in height. It is recommended for zones 5 through 8.
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