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Forsythia ovata

Phonetic Spelling
for-SYE-thee-uh oh-VAY-tuh
Description

Early Forsythia, or Forsythia ovata, is one of 11 species of Forsythia, a flowering, deciduous, perennial shrub. Early Forsythia is native to Korea, compact and bushy, and produces beautiful yellow flowers in early spring. The flowers are produced on arching stems before the plant leafs out. It will flower best when planted in full sun, but will do well when situated in part shade. This variety of forsythia is winter hardy in its growing zones, producing blooms from buds that survive winter temperatures as low as -25 degrees F., and is one of the first forsythias to bloom each year. That, plus its winter hardiness, separates Early Forsythia from other species. Once it has bloomed, it blends into the background with its nondescript leaves. However, its compact, bushy form, and spreading branches make it a great choice for mass plantings, borders or hedge. The genus is named for William Forsyth (1737-1804), who was the Scottish superintendent of the Royal Gardens of Kensington Palace and author of A Treatise on the Culture and Management of Fruit Trees which in its day was probably the most widely read work on the subject. The species name refers to its ovate leaves.

Early Forsythia is an easy keeper, thriving in loose, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun, but adapting to a variety of soil pH and textures, urban conditions, and drought. The shrub is winter hardy and can tend to grow wildly, but it can be pruned to keep the shrub's growth under control. Pruning should be done immediately after spring flowering; if done after mid-July, you will likely remove flower buds for the following spring. To rejuvenate an older plant, you can cut it back almost ground level. The plant can be propagated by rooting stem cuttings and some cultivars may sucker.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  

Leaf spot, crown gall, and dieback are some issues that affect this plant. Spider mites and aphids are insects that may be attracted.

More information on Forsythia.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Northern Gold
  • Robusta
Northern Gold, Robusta
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#deciduous shrub#spring flowers#flowering shrub#deer resistant#clay soils tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#shrub borders#pruning tolerant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Northern Gold
  • Robusta
Northern Gold, Robusta
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#deciduous shrub#spring flowers#flowering shrub#deer resistant#clay soils tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#shrub borders#pruning tolerant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Forsythia
    Species:
    ovata
    Family:
    Oleaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Korea
    Distribution:
    Has been introduced into adjoining regions of China.
    Play Value:
    Buffer
    Easy to Grow
    Screening
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Clumping
    Dense
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Two celled capsule with many winged seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Trumpet
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are deeply four-lobed with petals joined only at the base. These become pendent in rainy weather shielding the reproductive parts. It blooms on bare branches in late winter to early spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Bark Description:
    Rough, grey-brown, bark.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Patio
    Recreational Play Area
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Screen/Privacy
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Compaction
    Deer
    Drought
    Poor Soil
    Urban Conditions