Forsythia, borders of gold in spring

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Forsythia is truly marvelous in spring thanks to its magnificent golden flowers.

Forsythia facts

Name – Forsythia intermedia
Family – Oleaceae
Type – shrub

Height – 6 to 10 feet (2 to 3 meters)
Exposure – full sun and part sun
Soil – ordinary, not too chalky

Foliage: deciduous  –  Flowering: early spring  –  Special feature: Very hardy

Caring for forsythia is easy, from planting to pruning, and every bit of attention goes towards helping the growth and bloom of your plant.

Planting forsythia

This shrub is best planted right at the beginning of fall or in spring, but avoid at all costs days of freezing or very hot weather.

Even though it is known to be hardy (it resists to the coldest temperatures in its native Western Europe), root development will be at its best with proper planting.

• Water well over the first year after planting.
• Mulch atop the ground will help reduce the need for watering, and you won’t have to deal with weeds as often, too.
• Refer to our guidance on how to plant a shrub well.

It is also possible to grow forsythia in a pot on a terrace or balcony, but prepare to repot every 2 or 3 years.

• When planting in pots, select shrub or flowered plant soil mix.

Pruning, and caring for forsythia

An easy plant to care for, you won’t have any chores to go about with your Forsythia once it’s properly settled in.

Watering Forsythia:

It helps to water after planting, for a whole year.

After that, you’ll only have to water if it’s in containers or pots.

Regarding pruning:

Forsythia doesn’t suffer from pruning at all.

You can prune it severely, if need be.

Only one rule if you want to have flowers in the following year:
Prune just after the blooming!

Cut it back as much as you wish, trying to keep the shape as appealing as you can.

• Refer to all our guidelines on pruning shrubs

Disease on forsythia:

The Forsythia shrub is extremely hardy and resists diseases very well.

Most problems you’ll ever get can probably be traced back to improper care.

Check that it isn’t exposed to scorching hot sun, that it doesn’t lack water, or that the soil is soggy for too long after rains.

Learn more about forsythia

Forsythia, or Border Forsythia, is famous for its sparkling yellow blooming at the beginning of spring. Note that more and more stores offer a beautiful alternative to yellow, the white forsythia.

Flowers are rather short-lived, but they are simply remarkable, and their early blooming is like the preview of your magnificent gardens…

Landscapers often showcase Forsythia as a standalone, but this shrubs also does well in flower beds or flowered hedges. Beautiful varieties include the ‘Karl Sax’ and the ‘Lynwood’

• Sprigs cut in winter will bloom if placed in a vase in your home. The rise in temperature will make them think it’s spring!

→ Read also: Pruning shrubs and trees