Forsythia Welcomes Spring
Sunny yellow blooms are the first to bloom in celebration of spring
How to Propagate Forsythia shrubs and its different cultivars available to gardeners
One of the first signs of spring is the flowing fountains of the spring forsythia flower cascading from thin, many branched shrub that often form a sunny hedge. There is rarely a lack of lemon tinged flowers from every branch.
Forsythia is a deciduous shrub that grows about 1 to 2 feet per year. There are several different varieties that include compact shrubs about 1 foot tall to those that reach 10 feet in height.
Named after Scottish botanist William Forsyth (1737-1804), great grandfather of famous landscape architect Joseph Forsyth Johnson (1840-1906), forsythia is most commonly found as a hedge but the taller types can be espaliered against a wall or fence.
New shrubs can be started in late spring or early summer from softwood cuttings. Another method of propagation is the layering method. This is done by pinning the tip of a branch to the ground using a U shaped piece of wire or by simply weighting a branch to the ground with a large rock that won't damage the branch. The branch will root and can then be removed from the mother plant and planted elsewhere.
Forsythia isn't fussy about growing conditions. It will grow in any type soil and prefers full sun but will be happy in shade too. The only requirement is that the soil be well-drained.
Pruning should be done after the flowers have finished. Flower buds form on previous season's growth, not on new growth. At least 1/4 of the oldest stems should be trimmed to within 4" of the ground. Forsythia tends to stop blooming if neglected. If this should happen, cut the entire plant to the ground. It will take a few years before it will bloom again, but be patient, it will give you another chance.
Hybrids from Forsythia europaea and Forsythia ovata are both large and the most cold hardy. Cultivars include 'Northern Sun', 'Meadowlark', and 'Northern Gold'.
'Vermont Sun' is a cultivar of Forsythia mandshurica and it blooms slightly earlier than others. It has a more upright habit and the flowers are slightly larger. It is also cold tolerant.
Other forsythia cultivars include 'Beatrix Fariand' having large flowers about 2" in diameter; 'densiflora' with pale yellow flowers; 'Karl Sax' whose flower buds are very hardy and long lasting; 'Lynnwood Gold' having large numerous flowers; 'primulina' with light primrose-like yellow flowers; 'spectabiles' which is very winter hardy for those areas with temperatures below 0 in the winter; and 'Spring Glory' with numerous primrose-like flowers. These cultivars work well as hedges because of their upright nature.
Weeping forsythia branches grow in a fountain-like manner, the tips reaching back toward the ground. Cultivars of Forsythia supensa are: 'atrocaulis' whose young growth have a purple color to contrast the yellow flower;, 'decpiens' whose flowers have long stalks; 'pallida' with pale yellow flowers; 'sieboldi' with numerous deep yellow flowers and long slender branches.
Celebrate rebirth of all growing things and the coming of spring with the sunny shining yellow of a forsythia plant. It will warm the heart and soul with drops summer sun.
