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Forsythia Forsythia

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
for-SITH-ee-a
Description

Forsythia is a genus of 11 accepted species of flowering, deciduous, perennial shrubs native to China, Japan, and southeast Europe. Depending on the species, the mature height of a Forsythia shrub ranges from 3 to 10 feet and all species produce beautiful yellow flowers in early spring. The flowers are produced on long, arching, stems before the plants leaf out and the stems and flowers are often cut and brought indoors as a sign that winter will soon be over. 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.

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. 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:
F. ovata, F. suspensa, F. viridissima, F. x intermedia
Tags:
#deciduous#shrub#yellow flowers#edible flowers#deciduous shrub#spring flowers#flowering shrub#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#pruning tolerant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
F. ovata, F. suspensa, F. viridissima, F. x intermedia
Tags:
#deciduous#shrub#yellow flowers#edible flowers#deciduous shrub#spring flowers#flowering shrub#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#pruning tolerant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Forsythia
    Family:
    Oleaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China, Japan, Southeastern Europe
    Distribution:
    Introduced to Spain, Central Europe, and various parts of the United States.
    Edibility:
    Only the flowers are edible
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • 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
    Flower Shape:
    Trumpet
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Yellow flowers 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.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are opposite and, depending on species, simple or divided to trifoliolate, entire or serrate, ovate to lanceolate
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Bark Description:
    Rough, grey-brown, bark.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Compaction
    Deer
    Drought
    Poor Soil
    Urban Conditions