Forsythia: photo and description

Forsythia is not the name of a single plant, but of a whole genus of small trees and shrubs. Some species from this genus have been cultivated, garden varieties have been bred from them, and even hybrids have been created. In other species, wild forms of shrubs are grown in gardens. A photo and description of a forsythia shrub will help you choose the right variety for garden decoration.

Forsythia

Other readings of the name of this plant genus: forsythia and forsythia. In total, the genus includes 13 species. Some of the species are frost-resistant enough to be grown in Central Our Country. Most often, European forsythia is grown in gardens – a shrub with yellow flowers. This species is quite ancient and is able to grow in different climatic conditions. Other types of forsythia are also used to decorate the garden.

The length of the leaves in representatives of the genus is from 2 to 15 cm. The flowers are usually yellow, with a fused corolla. Flowers can be short-columnar or long-columnar. Forsythia seeds require cross-pollination between these two varieties of flowers. The absence of one of the forms explains the poor seed setting when growing shrubs in gardens.

Forsythia in landscape design

The most popular in landscape design are two types: European and Forsythia Giralda. Shrubs reach a height of 2 m. Both forsythia bushes with yellow flowers. In addition to them, two varieties with white and pink flowers can be used. Some types of shrubs and hybrids are valued for unusual ornamental foliage.

Shrubs quickly recover after cardinal pruning: during the summer, shoots grow to their previous length. This property provides the landscape designer with an unlimited field for creativity. A photo of a properly trimmed forsythia in landscape design will leave few indifferent.

The choice of plants when forming a garden can present certain difficulties. Some bushes are better suited to form a green wall or hedge. Others will look better in flower beds. Still others must be left in “proud solitude” so that they do not get lost among other shrubs and trees. Some types and varieties of forsythia with descriptions and photos are presented below. But only a few. The choice of these plants is much wider.

Forsythia white

White forsythia (Forsythia abeliophyllum) is an ornamental tree and shrub. It goes well in composition with other varieties of this genus. The flowers have a very pleasant aroma and attractive ornamental foliage. But you need to select varieties of bushes so that the white forsythia is combined with them in height.

The height of an adult bush is 1,5 m. It grows for about 10 years. The bush is compact. Flowers bloom in early spring. The usual color of the flower petals is white, but sometimes it can have a pink tint. By standards, it does not differ in particular frost resistance. Can withstand up to -6 °C. For growth prefers sunny areas protected from the cold. Suitable for a small garden or growing in a large pot on the patio.

Forsythia pink

The plant got its name for its pink flowers, which sometimes add a lilac tint to the color. The petals are very delicate in appearance, elongated, thin. The shrub is well suited to urban environments as it is tolerant of urban smog. But the plant is demanding on the soil. It will not grow in poor, acidic, heavy or saline soil.

The shrub is quite demanding to care for. Every year he needs anti-aging pruning. With this rejuvenation, the branches are cut to a third of the length. Capital rejuvenation “on the stump” is carried out every 3-4 years.

Forsythia variegated

The Latin name is Forsythia variegata. The main advantage of this shrub is not flowers, but bright decorative foliage. Variegated forsythia gradually changes the color of the leaves from light green to golden yellow. This shrub will look good among dark green firs or thujas. But it must be borne in mind that the height of this variety is small: up to 1 m. The width is limited to 1,2 m. The shrub has a natural rounded shape.

Blooms in May with yellow flowers. But the plant often freezes in winter, as it does not differ in cold resistance. Not picky about the soil.

Forsythia hanging down

She is drooping forsythia (Forsythia suspensa). Most shrubs of this genus have strong branches sticking up. Forsythia weeping – a bush 3 m high with long thin branches, bending downwards under its own weight.

It is advisable to plant this species separately or make trellises for bushes. On supports, the stems of the shrub rise above 3 m, forming spectacular golden walls in spring.

It grows well in the southern regions of Our Country. It is considered frost-resistant, but already in the Moscow region it winters only under cover.

Forsythia ovoid

A native of the Korean Peninsula. The correct name for this species is “oval-leaved” (Forsythia ovata). Forsythia got its name from the oval leaves. Harmony is broken by sharply pointed tips.

The length of the leaves of this type of shrub is 7 cm. In summer they have a dark green color, in autumn they turn dark purple with an orange tint. Flowers up to 3 cm in size, dark yellow.

The height of an adult bush is from 1,5 to 2 m. The variety is undemanding to soils and can grow even on poor land. But it fully “opens up” on fertile soil. This is the most winter-hardy species of all garden varieties. But in landscape design it is rarely used.

Forsythia greenest

It is greenest because its foliage is dark green. The shrub has a more correct name: dark green forsythia (Forsythia viridissima). This is one of the first species brought to Europe. Found in East China.

The bush grows vertically. The leaves are narrow, serrated in the third closest to the base. The flowers are yellow. This species is considered thermophilic. In Finland, it is most common, since there it cannot winter without shelter. But even there, dark green forsythia bloomed for several years. The place for planting the “curiosity” was chosen protected from the cold.

The dark green forsythia received the opportunity to bloom in the northern country due to its late ripeness. This species is the last of all varieties of the genus to bloom and avoids spring frosts.

Hybrid

Sometimes the greenest forsythia is called a hybrid of this species with the Korean form. This is a low shrub up to 1,5 m high. The flowers are rich yellow. The foliage is very decorative: bright green with creamy white veins. The hybrid looks very good on the dark green of coniferous trees. Due to crossing with Korean forsythia, Kumson has good frost resistance, but prefers sunny places.

Forsythia intermediate

Forsythia intermedia is the result of crossing drooping and dark green forsythia (Forsythia viridissima x Forsythia suspenca). The height of the shrub is up to 3 m. The branches are straight or slightly curved downwards. Blooms in late April – early May. Frost resistance is not different. It has good rooting ability of cuttings.

Forsythia Spectabilis

Tall sprawling shrub up to 2,5 m high. Crown diameter up to 2 m. Yellow flowers, completely cover the shoots. The leaves are green, turning yellow, orange or purple in autumn. The edges of the leaves are serrated. It blooms in the 3-4th year of the life of the shrub. Blooms from late April to early May. Relatively cold-resistant, suitable for cultivation in the 5th winter hardiness zone. In the middle lane requires shelter for the winter.

The plant does not like drought and needs regular watering. Prefers fertile soil.

Forsythia Weekend

Shrub up to 2,5 m. The crown is columnar. The trunk is brown. The flowers are yellow, densely cover the shoots. Early ripe variety: blooms in March-April. The foliage is green or light green in summer. In autumn it turns yellow, red or green. The life of the bush is 100 years. Photophilous. Very cold hardy variety. Withstands temperatures up to -23 °C.

It grows by spontaneous cuttings, when the shoots bend to the ground and take root. Grows in moist soil of any quality.

Forsythia Minigold

Low shrub up to 1,5 m. Crown diameter no more than 1 m. Blossoms in April. The length of dark green leaves is 10 cm. It looks good in single and group plantings. Unpretentious in care. Grows slowly, and shading slows down growth. You need to plant this form in a well-lit place.

Cold resistant. Able to winter under snow. Requires daily pruning and top dressing.

Forsythia Golden Time

Tall hybrid, reaching 3 m. Forsythia crown diameter Golden Times 2 m. Blooms in early spring. The flowers are yellow. The value of this hybrid is in its decorative foliage. The elongated simple leaves have a bright green center and a wide yellow border around the edges. The hybrid is relatively winter-hardy, but in severe frosts, the ends of the shoots can freeze out.

Forsythia MeliD’Or

A miniature spherical shrub with a crown width and height of no more than 1 m. The height can sometimes be less than the width. Flowering is plentiful. In autumn, the green foliage turns purple.

Prefers well-lit areas and moist fertile soil. Due to the uniform growth of the shoots, it needs minimal care. Pruning is carried out every 3-4 years.

Forsythia Beatrix Farrand

Very large tall shrub. At a height of up to 4 m, the crown diameter is 3 m. It grows rapidly. The annual growth of shoots is 30-40 cm. It blooms in April-May with bright canary-yellow flowers. The length of the leaves is 8 cm. The color is dark green, yellow in autumn. The shape is oval-pointed. There are small teeth on the edges.

Optimal landing site in partial shade. Does not tolerate drought. Prefers fertile soil. Thermophilic. For the winter requires mandatory shelter.

Forsythia Goldzauber

A medium-sized shrub up to 2 m high. At 8 years old, with a height of 1,7 m, the crown diameter is 0,9 m. Then it grows in width. The growth rate is average. This form has the largest flowers. Leaves are bright green, turning purple-orange in autumn. Vegetative period: late April – late October. Blooms at 4 years old. Flowering time 20 days from late April to mid-May.

Heat-loving, does not tolerate frost well. Prefers sunny places and moist soil. Unpretentious. Easily tolerates mild drought. Can grow on any soil.

Forsythia Kumson

Spherical shrub 1,5×1,5 m. Branches drooping, sprawling. Flowering is plentiful. The leaves are oblong, pointed. Color from dark green to light green. Golden veins give a special decorative effect to dark green leaves.

Prefers full sun but can grow in partial shade. The soil is not demanding. Korean forsythia Kumson has good winter hardiness, but can freeze slightly in especially severe colds. Easily restored after freezing and pruning.

Forsythia Goldrausch

Medium-sized hybrid shrub with early flowering. It blooms in March with the complete absence of leaves. New shoots and leaves appear after flowering. Plant height up to 3 m. Crown diameter 2,5-3 m.

Features of care

With proper care, the forsythia that turns green in the garden pleases the eye even in summer after flowering. In autumn, the colorful foliage makes these plants even more elegant. But for this, the shrub needs to be monitored and properly cared for.

Most species need annual pruning. An untrimmed bush looks very untidy and is not suitable for decorating a garden. Properly designed bush fits well into the composition. The shrub can be given a round shape if the plant is used for a flower bed, or rectangular when a wall is formed.

The shrub is unpretentious, but for beautiful and abundant flowering it requires annual fertilizing with fertilizers. Plants prefer moist soil and regular watering.

Due to the low resistance to frost, flower buds freeze out from uncovered bushes and forsythia is not able to bloom in spring. Therefore, bushes must be covered for the winter.

It is difficult to obtain seeds when grown in the garden, but the bushes reproduce well by cuttings.

Conclusion

The photo and description of the forsythia shrub given in the article will help you get an idea of ​​how this or that form will look in the garden. When drawing up a landscape design plan, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of each type of plant.