Skip to main content

Forsythia

Forsythia, also called Golden Bells, are ornamental shrubs that are members of the Olive family. Forsythia are native to eastern Asia and southeastern Europe. There are about 11 species but most common garden varieties are hybrids of Forsythia suspensa and Forsythia vridissima, otherwise known as Forsythia intermedia. Common varieties grow 6′ to 8′ tall and wide but are often kept shorter and formed into a shaped hedge. They are sometimes planted singly where their arching branches form fountain-like growths spilling into the yard.

Forsythia are most often planted for their spectacular dense rows of yellow spring flowers that form while most other plants are still dormant (photo).

Providing a colorful reminder that spring is near and brightening an otherwise drab day. Flowers form prior to leaf out. Leaf color is dark green for the remainder of the growth season. Fall leaf color is yellow.

Forsythia are best grown in full sun to light shade. They require regular water during establishment. Flowers form on prior year’s growth. So prune Forsythia annually just after flowering to promote branching and allow sufficient time for new growth for next spring’s floral display.  Forsythia are hardy to USDA Zone 4.

Forsythia make a wonderful addition to your landscape and make a colorful statement whether planted singly or as a hedge.

Contact Trees That Please Nursery for more information.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Question: How close to my house can I plant a Cottonwood tree?

Cottonwoods grow to be immense trees attaining dimensions of up to 40 - 50 feet tall and wide with a root system to match. Cottonwoods have a surface root system that can heave sidewalks, crack walls and home foundations if planted too close. Cottonwoods should be planted a minimal distance from structures of at least 25 feet if not further. Trees That Please Nursery carries two varieties of cotton-less, Cottonwood Trees. Please contact us or stop by the store for more information.

Afghan Pine

The Afghan Pine ( Pinus eldarica ) is also known as Desert Pine, Eldarica Pine or Mondell Pine. Afghan Pine is native to low rainfall areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and southern Russia . In fact, when planted in areas of high rainfall (> 20” per year), it becomes susceptible to a number of diseases and rapidly declines. This problem has occurred in East Texas.   The Afghan Pine thrives in heat, wind, and tolerates drought. Afghan Pine must be planted in soils with good drainage like sand. It is not suitable for poorly drained heavy clasy soils. Afghan Pines are generally pyramidal or Christmas tree shaped in form when young   becoming more oval or irregular with age. The leaves of the Afghan Pine are evergreen needles usually found in groups of 2 per fascicle or sheath. Needles are shed after several years and make excellent mulch as they fall around the trees base.   It has attractive trunk bark that becomes dark and furrowed with...

Weed Identification: Goatheads or Stickers

Goatheads ( Tribulus terrestris ) are native to Southern Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Goatheads are also called stickers, sticker weed, bullhead, devil’s weed, and puncturevine. Goatheads are easily recognized by their prostrate growth form, leaves with leaflets, yellow flowers, and stickers (Goatheads). If you miss’em visually then they will stab you painfully in the fingers as you work your garden, or stick to your clothing and shoes. Goatheads are the primary reason local bicyclists must get “thorn proof” tires for riding on area trails and streets. Goatheads have prostrate stems that radiate outward from one central point. Leaves are compound with smaller leaflets. Lemon yellow flowers form along the stems and fertilized flowers form fruits.   Fruits consist of several attached structures called nutlets (Goatheads). Each nutlet is a single seed that becomes hard or woody when mature. Each seed has two sharp spines that easily pene...