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Lian Qiao Forsythia suspensa

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
for-SYE-thee-uh sus-PEN-suh
Description

Weeping Forsythia is one of 11 species of flowering, deciduous, perennial shrubs. It is native to to China and East Asia and, in its native habitat, often found wild in thickets and grassy slopes. It produces beautiful yellow flowers in early spring on long, arching, stems before the plants leaf out; however, the Weeping Forsythia blooms are not as vivid as other Forsythia species. In the case of Weeping Forsythia, the arching stems can be left to touch the ground, forming roots, and spreading. Weeping Forsythia is drought tolerant. 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 references the plant's hanging or weeping form.

Forsythia is easy to grow and does best in loose, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to shade. although siting in full sun will produce more flowers earlier in the Spring. Forsythia is a forgiving plant and tolerates average to poor garden soils, urban conditions, and drought. The shrub is winter hardy, but colder winters and temperatures below -5 degrees F may retard flower development because of the impact of winter temperatures or a late freeze on unopened buds. Forsythia can tend to grow wildly, but it can be pruned to keep the shrub's growth under control. The plant can also be trained to grow as a vine. Flowers appear on last year's wood. 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.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests. Some species of Forsythia are susceptible to leaf spot or crown gall.

More information on Forsythia.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Sieboldii
Sieboldii
Tags:
#deciduous#shrub#yellow flowers#deciduous shrub#flowering shrub#children's garden#playground plant#cozy#winter flowers#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#pruning tolerant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Sieboldii
Sieboldii
Tags:
#deciduous#shrub#yellow flowers#deciduous shrub#flowering shrub#children's garden#playground plant#cozy#winter flowers#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#pruning tolerant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Forsythia
    Species:
    suspensa
    Family:
    Oleaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China, East Asia
    Distribution:
    Introduced into parts of Spain and central Europe, various temperate United States.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Weeping
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Two celled capsule with many winged seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Trumpet
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Golden yellow flowers in early spring; not as vivid a display as other forsythias. Flowers are deeply four-lobed with petals joined only at the base. These become pendent in rainy weather shielding the reproductive parts.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Opposite, serrate, simple, dark green leaves that grow to 4 inches long.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Light Brown
    Bark Description:
    Rough, grey brown bark.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Compaction
    Drought
    Poor Soil
    Urban Conditions