Spring is in the air . (Forsythia (Flowers))

Member Name: eiley123

Product:	Forsythia (Flowers)
Date:	14/03/07 (321 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful when flowering , provides good green hedge for most of year , hardy

Disadvantages: Flowers don't last for long enough

One of my favourite flowering shrubs is in full swing in the garden at the moment .We had our first Forsythia quite a few years ago in our second home and recently have rediscovered them .

I bought the one I have in the back garden a couple of years ago from Wilko . It was a very small shrub then , bought in a wrapper similar to when you buy roses .We planted it near our fish pond , in a corner , as I didn't think it would grow quite as big as it has . Despite being pruned it is over six feet high . The downside is , it has gone a bit woody , but I still love this plant .

If you haven't seen one or are unsure which plant I mean it's a shrub which for a lot of the year is covered in green leaves . The one we used to have resembled a privet for most of the year . According to my husband the one we have now resembles a weed for most of the year . Not true say I . The leaves drop in winter and during February buds start to appear . This culminates in the Forsythia flowering in March / April with a mass of bright yellow flowers . Looking close up these are cross shaped almost star like and a wonderful shade of bright yellow . When mine flowers , as the daffodils are starting to bloom , I know Spring has arrived or at the very least is just around the corner .

You can buy a few different types and I am going to buy one for my front garden which is more compact and densely flowered ; as the one in my back garden has gone a bit gangly the flowers are not so dense .

Some Facts
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Forsythias likes full sun , or very light shade .
They flower in late winter or spring depending where you live and plant .
They can be used as a garden or park plant in isolated groups or hedges .
Forsythias are a robust shrub .
Named after William Forsyth 1737 - 1804 .
They do not require specialist soils but do grew best in rich well drained soil .
Plants will need watering in summer , in dry weather .
Propagation - I have a small Forsythia growing in a tub which has taken well . This was a branch , snapped off my plant , accidentally by one of my dogs . I had stuck it in with some other plants and forgotten about it . Low and behold at the weekend I saw a few yellow flowers appearing and realised how well it had taken .

Forsythias officially can be propagated by hardwood cuttings . Select strong, healthy , ripened shoots from this years growth . Remove the leaves, trim the soft wood at the tip and cut the stem into 6inch lengths . Dip them in rooting powder and plant in pots which are kept in a cold frame if possible .

They do seem to be a hardy plant which survive most things .
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You can usually pick up a Forsythia for a couple of pounds . If you need a hedging I would say Forsythia's work well . Make sure you buy one of the denser ones . That way you will have tight packed green leaves most of the year and a mass of yellow flowers for quite a few weeks in spring .

You do need to prune each year to keep this plant under control . I don't think it has much fragrance to it but the sight of those flowers makes up for that . They are certainly a sight to lift your spirits .

Thanks for reading and happy planting
Copyright Eiley

Summary: A Sunny Spring Shrub