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.

Web: www.treesthatplease.us

Email: treesthatpleae@comcast.net

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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 penetrat
1 comment
Read more

Weed Identification: Sand Bur

Sand Bur ( Cenchrus longispinus ) is native to North America. It has other names like sand spur, long-spined sand bur, hedgehog grass, and bur grass . Sand Bur is an annual grass usually growing with a prostrate growth form. It is similar in appearance to other grasses prior to seed formation. Individual plants may be 3’ in diameter, sometimes larger. Sand Bur is a common weed of sandy soils but also grows well elsewhere. Sand Bur will often root at stem nodes that are touching the ground. The root system of Sand Bur is shallow and fibrous making them easily pulled (when immature). Sand Bur produces a flowering spike. As seeds begin to form Sand Bur is easily recognized by its numerous sharp or burred seeds or long spines. As the burred seeds mature they are easily separated from the mother plant and their sharp spines stick to virtually anything. Sand Bur can disseminate its seeds long distances because its sharp spines will hitch a ride on skin, animal hides,
5 comments
Read more

Weed Identification: Silver-Leaf Nightshade

Silver-Leaf Nightshade ( Solanum elaeagnifolium ) is a perennial plant usually growing 8” to 20” tall. It is easily recognized by its silver green wavy leaves and stem color,   often thorny stems, and violet colored, star shaped flowers with protruding yellow stamens. Other common names for Silver-Leaf Nightshade are Prairie Berry, Silver-Leaf Nettle, and Satan’s Bush. Silver-Leaf Nightshade flowers from late spring into fall and is native to the Southwestern United States and into Mexico. It is considered a noxious weed in many states. Silver-Leaf Nightshade is poisonous and toxic to livestock. Silver-Leaf Nightshade propagates from both rhizomes and seed found in berries. Green striped berries turn yellow or orange at maturity and then dry to brown.   Silver-Leaf Nightshade has an extensive root system     and can form colonies, which makes it difficult to eradicate.   If you have time and patience, Silver-Leaf Nightshade can be e
2 comments
Read more