Forsythia

The genus Forsythia includes 7 species of deciduous shrubs with opposite, simple or triple, sawn or whole leaves along the edge, remaining green until frost. The flowers are large bright yellow bell-shaped, single or in axillary inflorescences, appearing before or simultaneously with the leaves. They are located throughout the shoot and bloom in such numbers that they almost cover the branches. Ovate forsythia (Forsythia ovata) is one of the most stable species with ovate - rounded matte-green leaves that turn bright yellow in autumn. Amber-yellow flowers appear very early. Plants do not freeze in temperate climates, bloom profusely and bear fruit. Forsythia pendens (F. suspensa) - a species with drooping branches suitable for wall coverings. The leaves are ovate or ovate-oblong, sometimes trifoliate, and drooping bright yellow flowers bloom in March. Forsythia greenest (F. viridissima) is a species characterized by oblong-lanceolate dark green leaves, which turn purple in autumn. Bright yellow flowers bloom in April. Forsythia intermedia- a lush compact hybrid obtained from crossing forsythia drooping and forsythia viridissima. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate dark green, finely toothed along the edge. Golden-yellow flowers bloom in March-April. The most common varieties are: 'Beautiful' with golden-yellow flowers (especially suitable for hedges); 'Dense-flowered' branches are completely covered with flowers; 'Golden nugget' is compact and has large flowers; 'Spring glory' - with sulfur-yellow flowers, completely covering the shoots.

The genus Forsythia includes 7 species of deciduous shrubs with opposite, simple or triple, sawn or whole leaves along the edge, remaining green until frost. The flowers are large bright yellow bell-shaped, single or in axillary inflorescences, appearing before or simultaneously with the leaves. They are located throughout the shoot and bloom in such numbers that they almost cover the branches.

Ovate forsythia (Forsythia ovata) is one of the most stable species with ovate - rounded matte-green leaves that turn bright yellow in autumn. Amber-yellow flowers appear very early. Plants do not freeze in temperate climates, bloom profusely and bear fruit.

Forsythia pendens (F. suspensa) - a species with drooping branches suitable for wall coverings. The leaves are ovate or ovate-oblong, sometimes trifoliate, and drooping bright yellow flowers bloom in March.

Forsythia greenest (F. viridissima) is a species characterized by oblong-lanceolate dark green leaves, which turn purple in autumn. Bright yellow flowers bloom in April.

Forsythia intermedia- a lush compact hybrid obtained from crossing forsythia drooping and forsythia viridissima. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate dark green, finely toothed along the edge. Golden-yellow flowers bloom in March-April.

The most common varieties are: 'Beautiful' with golden-yellow flowers (especially suitable for hedges); 'Dense-flowered' branches are completely covered with flowers; 'Golden nugget' is compact and has large flowers; 'Spring glory' - with sulfur-yellow flowers, completely covering the shoots.

Cultivation

Forsythia is very decorative, especially in early spring during abundant flowering. It is used in gardens - in single plantings and groups, in borders and hedges. More compact varieties and varieties, such as F. x intermedia 'Golden Nugget', can also be grown in large containers on balconies and terraces, and they do not need to be transplanted into a new pot, but usually only add earth when needed. Plants are planted permanently in the period from October (in areas with a cold climate) to March, the culture easily takes root in any type of soil. In hedges, the distance between plants is approximately 50 cm. They are fed with organic fertilizers (3-10 kg/m2) or complex mineral fertilizers (30 g / m2). When growing in containers, a mixture consisting of 1/2 of the fertile turf land and 1/2 of the soil is used. - from peat and sand, with the addition of 30 g of complex fertilizer per bucket of soil, and during the growing season, a complex fertilizer in the amount of 30 g per bucket is added to the water for irrigation every 15-20 days. Forsythia is pruned immediately after flowering, removing old damaged branches and shortening faded ones. It is also useful to prune the shoots of young plants immediately after planting in the ground by about 2/3 of the length for better tillering. Shoots of forsythia hanging, if it is grown near the wall, are shortened immediately after flowering, leaving 1-2 buds. Plants of the Beautiful variety in the hedge are slightly pruned only after flowering.

Forsythia is very decorative, especially in early spring during abundant flowering. It is used in gardens - in single plantings and groups, in borders and hedges. More compact varieties and varieties, such as F. x intermedia 'Golden Nugget', can also be grown in large containers on balconies and terraces, and they do not need to be transplanted into a new pot, but usually only add earth when needed.

Plants are planted permanently in the period from October (in areas with a cold climate) to March, the culture easily takes root in any type of soil. In hedges, the distance between plants is approximately 50 cm. They are fed with organic fertilizers (3-10 kg/m2) or complex mineral fertilizers (30 g / m2). When growing in containers, a mixture consisting of 1/2 of the fertile turf land and 1/2 of the soil is used. - from peat and sand, with the addition of 30 g of complex fertilizer per bucket of soil, and during the growing season, a complex fertilizer in the amount of 30 g per bucket is added to the water for irrigation every 15-20 days.

Forsythia is pruned immediately after flowering, removing old damaged branches and shortening faded ones. It is also useful to prune the shoots of young plants immediately after planting in the ground by about 2/3 of the length for better tillering. Shoots of forsythia hanging, if it is grown near the wall, are shortened immediately after flowering, leaving 1-2 buds. Plants of the Beautiful variety in the hedge are slightly pruned only after flowering.

Location

For species and varieties of forsythia, a place in the open sun is preferable, and partial shade is also suitable.

Temperature

These plants are resistant to both high and low air temperatures.

Watering

It is necessary only for young plants-immediately after they are planted in the open ground or during a prolonged drought.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds and root offspring; in culture-lignified and green cuttings. Cuttings are planted directly in the open ground. Forsythia drooping takes root on its own when the shoots are lying on the ground. These natural layers can be separated from the parent plant in October and planted in the selected place. Other species can also be propagated by layering, but rooting will only occur if an incision is made on the underside of the branch, and then you need to dig in, sprinkle the shoot.

Diseases

Agrobacterium tumefaciens causes the formation of blisters on the root neck. Remove affected plants. Spots on the leaves appear due to various fungal lesions. It is necessary to discard damaged parts of plants - treatment with preparations based on copper or dithiocarbamates is resorted to only in extreme cases.