Forsythia viridissima
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- for-SYE-thee-uh vir-i-dis'si-ma
- Description
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Greenstem Forsythia is a flowering, perennial, deciduous shrub in the Oleaceae family that is native to Asia. It is widely used for its yellow flowers in early spring which provide needed relief from winter. It will grow to 10 feet tall and wide with arching stems. The flowers are produced on the long, arching, stems before the plants leaf out and the stems and flowers are often cut and brought indoors. 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 means "very green".
Forsythia is easy to grow and does best in loose, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part 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. Pruning should be done immediately after spring flowering; if done after mid-July, you will likely remove flower buds for the following spring. Keep in mind that flowering occurs on wood that is at least a year old. 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. Use in a shrub border, as an accent or foundation plantings.
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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- 'Border Gem'
Dwarf, spreading, grows to 1 foot high and useful as ground cover.
'Bronxensis'
Low, spreading, flat topped cultivar. Matures to 1 foot high and 3 feet wide. - 'Border Gem'
- 'Border Gem', 'Bronxensis'
- Tags:








- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Border Gem'
Dwarf, spreading, grows to 1 foot high and useful as ground cover.
'Bronxensis'
Low, spreading, flat topped cultivar. Matures to 1 foot high and 3 feet wide. - 'Border Gem'
- 'Border Gem', 'Bronxensis'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Forsythia
- Species:
- viridissima
- Family:
- Oleaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South China and South Korea
- Distribution:
- Canada, Eastern United States south to North Carolina and west to Tennessee.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Drought tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 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
- Dense
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a dry capsule, containing several winged seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Early spring 4-lobed yellow flowers up to 1 inch wide appear before foliage in February or March and last through April or May. 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
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Opposite, simple, medium to dark green leaves 4 to 6 inches long and tapers at both ends with teeth above the middle. Purple tinged in fall.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Bark Description:
- Rough grey-brown bark
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Lenticels:
- Conspicuous
- Stem Description:
- Square stems with prominent lenticels
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Compaction
- Deer
- Drought
- Poor Soil
- Salt
- Urban Conditions