Lian Qiao Forsythia suspensa
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- for-SYE-thee-uh sus-PEN-suh
- Description
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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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Sieboldii
- Sieboldii
- Sieboldii
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Sieboldii
- Sieboldii
- Sieboldii
- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Two celled capsule with many winged seeds.
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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.
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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.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Light Brown
- Bark Description:
- Rough, grey brown bark.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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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
