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Forsythia viridissima

Phonetic Spelling
for-SYE-thee-uh vir-i-dis'si-ma
Description

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.

 

More information on Forsythia.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Border Gem', 'Bronxensis'
Tags:
#deciduous#shrub#yellow flowers#deciduous shrub#spring flowers#flowering shrub#deer resistant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#pruning tolerant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Border Gem', 'Bronxensis'
Tags:
#deciduous#shrub#yellow flowers#deciduous shrub#spring flowers#flowering shrub#deer resistant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#pruning tolerant#perennial
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a dry capsule, containing several winged seeds.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Bark Description:
    Rough grey-brown bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Lenticels:
    Conspicuous
    Stem Description:
    Square stems with prominent lenticels
  • 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