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To decorate the garden, not only herbaceous plants are used, but also various shrubs. Forsythia intermediate has not yet enjoyed wide success among gardeners. But those who grow this plant speak with delight about the beauty of the bushes, pleasing in early spring with yellow and golden flowers of an unusual shape.
Description of Forsythia intermediate
The plant got its name from the royal gardener and botanist Forsyth, who brought the first seedlings from China to England. That is why in some sources the shrub is called Forsythia.
Under natural conditions, the plant is found in Japan, China, Korea. Of the 11 species in gardens, only 3 are found. Shrubs in one place can grow up to 70 years.
Forsythia intermediate refers to deciduous shrubs. These are hybrid plants reaching a height, depending on the species, of 3 m. The crown of medium branching is about 3 m in diameter. Forsythia sprawling grows quickly, grows up to 25 cm in a year.
Foliage lanceolate. At the beginning of the growing season – green, closer to autumn yellow. Flowers are large bells, 3,5 cm in diameter.
The shrub is especially loved by designers, because it looks decorative at any time of the year.
Forsythia intermediate in landscape design
Forsythia begin its flowering in early spring, almost at the same time as crocuses, primrose, hyacinths and daffodils. That is why these plants are taken as companions to the lower level of various flower arrangements.
How can be used in landscape design:
- in single and group landings;
- when creating a bright spot against the background of conifers;
- when creating a trellis or hedge;
- for the design of borders;
- as decorations for balconies, terraces;
- for growing in pots;
- to create bouquets.
Varieties of Forsythia intermediate
Forsythia intermediate – a hybrid variety created by crossing 2 species: Forsythia drooping and greenest.
Breeders have created several varieties of this shrub, the most popular are:
- Spectabilis;
- Linwood Gold;
- Goldzauber;
- Weekend;
- Golden Time;
- Maluch.
The varieties are dominated to varying degrees by parental traits, but the new species are undemanding to the soil and are able to tolerate low temperatures.
In landscape design, Forsythia intermedia Spectabilis is most often used.
Forsythia Intermediate Spectabilis
Forsythia intermediate Spektabilis P9 is a low shrub (not higher than 1 m) with dark green leaves. This color will last through the summer. In autumn, the shrub looks amazingly beautiful: leaf blades are painted in all shades of purple.
Shoots sprawling, hanging down. Flowers appear on them in the second half of April, when there is no foliage yet. Golden flowers, collected in large bunches, stick around the shoots so densely that they are practically invisible.
Forsythia intermedia Linwood
Forsythia intermediate Lynwood shoots are erect, sprawling. The bushes are quite high – about 3 m. Flowering begins long before the leaves bloom. Shoots become light green from blooming large flowers.
The foliage is bright green in summer, changing color in autumn. Leaf blades may be yellow or purple.
For the winter, the shoots of the shrub are bent to the ground and covered, since the frost resistance of Forsythia is average.
Forsythia Intermediate Goldzauber
The variety of Forsythia intermediate Goldzauber was created by German breeders. Plants can be planted in almost all regions, as they are frost-resistant.
The crown of the shrub is spreading, the shoots are drooping. The height of an adult Forsythia of this variety is 1,7 m.
Plants are planted in sunny areas. The bush looks decorative throughout the growing season:
- In mid-April, bright yellow inflorescences appear, attracting insects with their aroma.
- By autumn, the color of the green leaves becomes bronze-red.
Forsythia Intermediate Weekend
Forsythia intermediate Weekend is represented by a low shrub. Upright shoots grow to a height of 2 m. The crown diameter of an adult plant is within 3 m.
The shape of the leaf blades resembles an egg. Bright green leaves (leaf length – 5-10 cm) bloom later than flowers. In autumn, the bushes turn yellow-red.
Forsythia blooms early, as a rule, inflorescences appear in late April – early May. Bell-shaped buds with bright yellow petals. The flowers are large – up to 3,5 cm in length. Flowering is so abundant that shoots from under the flowers are not visible.
Forsythia Intermediate Golden Time
This variety is represented by a low deciduous shrub. The shoots are slightly drooping, up to 2 m high. For a year, the stems grow by 20 cm.
Leaf blades with notches. The most interesting thing is that from the moment they appear, they have a variegated color. On the bush at the same time there can be leaves of dark green and light green color with a golden yellow border.
Forsythia Golden Time blooms early and abundantly in April-May. Golden yellow buds completely cover the stems. In place of flowers, hard boxes with seeds are formed.
Forsythia Intermediate Maluch
Variety Malukh is an early-flowering deciduous shrub 1,2-1,5 m high. It blooms early, profusely, when there are no leaves on the plants yet. Deep yellow buds.
When planting for a shrub, choose a place where there is no wind. Prefers moist, well-drained soil. In order for the plant to please with abundant flowering in spring, in autumn the shoots must be bent to the ground and covered with snow until frost begins.
Planting and caring for Forsythia intermediate
All varieties of culture, including Forsythia Intermediate Spektabilis, are widely used in landscape design. Beginning gardeners are wary of a plant with amazing flowers, they believe that it will require a lot of effort.
In fact, the hybrid is unpretentious, does not require any special agrotechnical knowledge.
Landing
Planting is best planned for autumn, until frost sets in:
- Forsythia seedlings are planted in pre-prepared pits, 60x60x70 cm in size at a distance of at least 1,5 m, since the crown of all varieties is spreading.
- The bottom of the pit is drained with crushed stone, broken brick, and filled from above with a nutrient composition of humus, sheet soil and sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 2. It is desirable to add wood ash to each well.
- The pit is filled with water, a depression is made in the center, Forsythia is planted in it. It is not necessary to deepen the plant strongly.
- Sprinkle the roots with soil, which needs to be lightly trampled down and watered abundantly.
- Mulch the trunk circle with peat or humus.
- Shoots are bent down, fixed and covered for the winter.
Watering
When grown outdoors, you do not need to worry about lighting and watering. The plant is drought-resistant, so it does not require a lot of water, except in the absence of precipitation. This pleases gardeners who cannot often be in the country.
Additional fertilizing
Feeding frequency:
- The first food is given to plants as soon as the snow melts. It is best to add rotted manure to the trunk circle and loosen the soil.
- The second top dressing is timed to coincide with the formation of buds. In early April, mineral fertilizers are applied under the Forsythia bushes.
- The third time, complex dressings are again introduced immediately after flowering ends.
- The last recharge is given in the fall before shelter for the winter.
Diseases and pests
According to the description, all varieties of Forsythia intermediate (in Latin Forsythia) are resistant to many diseases and pests.
But young plants can suffer from Fusarium, leading to wilting. In addition, a black coating, similar to mold, may appear on the shoots.
To combat the disease, you can use:
- “Fitosporin”;
- “Gamairo”;
- “Trichophytoma”.
Moniliosis can be distinguished by dry brown spots covering leaves and shoots. Treatment is with fungicides.
Only a few types of pests settle on Forsythia intermediate:
- nematodes;
- aphid;
- goldentail larvae and scoops.
To destroy harmful insects, you need to use folk remedies or insecticides.
Trimming
Forsythia intermediate Linwood Gold, like other hybrid varieties, needs timely pruning. This procedure ensures lush flowering.
Pruning of plants is planned for spring after flowering. There are 2 types of events:
- regular pruning;
- sanitary pruning.
The first version of the haircut is aimed at forming the crown of the bush. The shape can be any, but most often the shoots are cut off, creating a ball.
Stems affected by diseases and pests are cut out as needed. Every 3-4 years you need to remove the old stems.
The scheme of pruning Forsythia intermediate is shown in the photo.
Wintering of Forsythia intermediate
Next year’s flower buds form after the plant has faded. Their development will continue in the winter. In order for the bushes to delight with lush buds in the spring, you need to take care of the plants in the fall. Despite winter hardiness, Forsythia needs shelter in regions where the thermometer drops below -5 degrees.
Shoots need to be bent to the ground and firmly fixed so that they do not rise in winter. Plantings can be covered with pine spruce branches, humus, foliage or dry grass. Lay non-woven fabric on top. In the conditions of Siberia and the Urals, it is recommended to sprinkle the bushes with soil if a little snowy winter is expected.
Conclusion
Forsythia intermediate is an unpretentious plant from the Maslinov family. It is not difficult to grow it, unpretentiousness is the main quality of culture. Flowering bushes will always delight with beautiful flowers in early spring and bright leaves in autumn.
