When it is still cold outside, and the trees are gloomy and without leaves, as if bright yellow flames are sprouting Forsythia bushes. An unpretentious plant is a true primrose among woody species. The modern variety of forms and varieties allows its use even in regions with cold winters.
Forsythia: A Short Description
The genus of plants received its name in honor of W. Foresight (Scottish botanist), who served as the main gardener in Kensington Palace. He brought her to Europe from China. The second name of the genus is Forsythia, it combines 14 species of shrubs and small trees belonging to the family Olive. All of them are distinguished by high decorativeness and lush flowering, and therefore are actively used in the landscape design of sites, parks.
The height of the bush is on average 1-3 m, less often reaches 6 m. The bushes are spreading, wide, the diameter reaches 2 meters. Forsythia is intermediate, European and other species has bright yellow bell-shaped flowers.
The natural habitat is torn, which indicates the antiquity of the entire genus of plants. European Forsythia is found in Albania and in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. And all other varieties grow in East Asian countries (Korea, Japan, China).
Using Forsythia in Gardening
The plant is very popular in Europe, where it can be found in many parks and gardens. Forsythia is appreciated for its high decorative effect. The lush flowering of bushes begins in early spring, as soon as the snow melts. Leafless branches are covered with a thick cover of small flowers, and only after they begin to fade, leaves appear. It looks especially impressive in a company with evergreen conifers and shrubs. Widespread use is also associated with undemanding shrubs to soils, the most important thing is that they are well-drained. Forsythia intermediate can grow both in the sun and in partial shade.
Shrubs are practically not susceptible to diseases and various pests, and this also distinguishes them favorably from the rest. Some species are quite cold-resistant and, when covered for winter, may well grow in conditions of central Russia.
Forsythia intermediate: photo and description
Sometimes it is also called Forsythia Medium. This is a garden hybrid, obtained as a result of crossing Forsythe greenery and drooping. Deciduous shrub has a significant size and grows up to 2-3 meters in height. It has a spreading crown. Combined shoots, some of them upright, and others drooping (arched). The bark is light golden yellow, young branches have a greenish tint. The leaves are large from 5 to 12 cm in length, lanceolate-ovate in shape, the part near the petiole is solid, and the edges are serrate and dentate. Forsythia intermediate leaves covered only after a flowering period, and then for a long time retains juicy greens. In the fall, the bushes turn purple , yellow, or even purple. The flowers are large and collected a few pieces (up to 6) in each bud on last year's shoots.
The flowering period is April-May. The hybrid is completely frost-resistant and can withstand a drop in air temperature to -29 ° C. In the middle lane, shelter for winter time will be required. This foresight was introduced into the culture since 1880. At the present stage, it has many highly decorative varieties with large flowers, which are widespread in comparison with the original species.
Forsythia Intermediate Lynnwood Gold
Tall shrub (2-3 m in height) with a spreading crown. Photophilous, flowers have a light yellow tint. The variety has medium frost resistance (up to -26 ° C). Large flowers cover the bare branches for two weeks in May, after which leaves appear, which in the fall turn yellow and purple. Before winter, the shrub needs to be covered, and the branches should be pinned to the ground. Forsythia is an intermediate Lynwood Gold, the maintenance of which is extremely simple, it is very often used in urban landscaping of parks, as it is resistant to gassed air.
Forsythia Vic End
Deciduous shrub blooms before all other varieties of intermediate Forsythia. The height of the plant is from one and a half to two meters, and the shoots tend to land and grow to the sides as they grow. The flowers resemble the Lynwood variety, blooming in large quantities, giving the impression of a large yellow flame in the garden. Forsythia intermediate Vic End lends itself well to shearing and shaping the bush, so it is widely used by landscape designers in both group and single landings. It grows on almost any soil in which there is enough moisture, from alkaline to acidic.
A variety of medium resistance to cold (up to -26 ° C). It does not tolerate summer drought, so regular watering is required.
Forsythia Goldsauber
A very popular and sought-after variety of German breeding, it has almost the highest resistance to cold and winter frosts. Therefore, it certainly deserves attention. Flowering continues for three weeks (from mid-April). It reaches a height of 2 meters, and the formation of a bush and crown ends only in the eighth year after planting. Long, drooping branches create a simply enchanting picture. The flowers are large, golden yellow with a delicate pleasant aroma. Forsythia Intermediate Goldzauber prefers sunny places with well-moistened and fertile soils. The crown can be trimmed, the plant tolerates it well. In hot seasons, it needs additional watering. Bright emerald foliage in autumn turns golden red.
Forsythia planting
You can plant and transplant shrubs in early spring or autumn, but so that the plants have time to grow stronger before the onset of the first frost. Forsythia prefers wind-protected areas, sunny or in the light shade of the garden. It is undemanding to soil, however, on slightly alkaline lands it will grow better. Therefore, when preparing the soil, add a little wood ash. Leave the distance between the bushes at 1.5 meters.
Planting pit for the plant should be 50 * 50 * 50 in size. At the bottom, be sure to pour expanded clay, broken brick or crushed stone with a layer of a thickness of 15-20 cm, and then a layer of sand. Good drainage will be helpful. After planting, the earth around the bush must be tamped and watered abundantly.
Forsythia intermediate (Lynnwood, Goldzauber, etc.), planted in the spring, in the future will require ordinary care. But autumn shrubs will need more attention. Firstly, it is imperative to mulify the periostemal circle. For the winter, the plant must be covered, choose a material with good breathability, so that during possible thaws the flower buds on the shoots do not become barred.
Forsythia care: basic rules
Growing forsythia is a fairly simple task and is not much different from caring for other shrubs in the garden.
- Watering is required only in a dry summer, its frequency is 1-2 times a month, 10-12 liters for each bush.
- Soil loosening - to the depth of a bayonet shovel and weeding after irrigation, subsequent mulching with dry earth or compost.
- Fertilizing - three times a season. In early spring, humus is laid near the trunk and then watered abundantly, in April, a complex mineral fertilizer is applied (per 1 square meter 60-70 g), then after flowering is recommended, it is recommended to be watered with Kemira universal.
- Young Forsythia is intermediate, like all other species, is subjected only to sanitary pruning. Adult bushes ennoble in the summer, after flowering. At the same time, old and dried branches are cut off, leaving a 4-6 cm lump. This stimulates the formation of young shoots. If there is a need to rejuvenate the old bush, then cut off all branches at least 2/3 of the entire length. But such a measure can be applied no more than once in 3-4 years.