Description
Forsythia –
This popular genus contains about 7 species of mainly deciduous, sometimes semi evergreen shrubs. They occur in open woodland in China and Japan with one species from Southeastern Europe. They produces opposite, simple, smooth or toothed edged, sometimes 3 palmate leaves. The 4 petalled, brilliant yellow flowers are salverform with narrow tubes, and with very long or short styles on different plants. /They are borne before or with the leaves in early and mid spring, often profusely, although low or widely fluctuating winter temperatures often kill flower buds. Grow in a shrub border, on a bank, against a wall, or as a specimen plant, they are also useful for hedging. They make good cut flowers.
Easily grown in moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun or light dappled shade. Seldom flowers in warm climates.
Prone to Arabis mosaic virus, stem gall, dieback, root knot nematode, and leaf spots.
F. giraldiana – This open, deciduous shrub from Northwestern China grows 12′ feet tall and wide. From slender, arching shoots, which are purple when young carry narrowly ovate leaves, gray-green to mid green above, slightly down beneath, 2-5″ long. In late winter and early spring before the leaves it bears solitary, pale yellow flowers, to 1 1/4″ across. It is one of the earliest Forsythia to bloom.
Zones 5-8
