Forsythia Quick Guide: 10 Different Forsythia Varieties And How To Grow Them

What better way to greet the arrival of spring than with a burst of cheerful yellow flowers? Yes, we're discussing forsythia. This shrubby perennial can be used to create a pleasant backdrop, centerpiece, or border in your garden. It can also be used as a fast-growing flowering hedge, making it a year-round addition to your yard. Learn about the most intriguing forsythia kinds and how to grow them right now.

Forsythia is a yellow flowering plant with tall branches that create a sunny look in early spring. Before any leaves grow, it bursts into a vibrant display of golden blossoms.

If you want to cultivate a forsythia, you must take adequate care of it. It's also crucial to plant it correctly. Otherwise, the plant may not be able to reach its full potential. So, let's get this party started!

What Does Forsythia Mean?

Forsythia is a flower representing the sun of spring and the excitement that comes with it. It's no surprise that it blooms in the spring.

The plant also has the meanings of dignity and nobility. The Victorians used it to express their admiration for someone they admired.

This flower may not be the most popular, but it can certainly brighten up your landscape.

Facts About Forsythia

Here are some interesting facts about this flower, which has long been found in gardens worldwide.

• This shrub was named after William Forsyth, an 18th-century Scottish gardener.
• The flowers are usually a variety of yellows, ranging from mild to deep yellow. These blossoms can be anywhere between 14 and 12 inches long, and they look like bells and grow in groups.
• This flower has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to purify the body and treat fever and colds.
• Forsythia blooms tip downward to protect their pollen when it rains. This plant knows how to please the bees!
• The blooms are drought-resistant, shade-tolerant, and deer-resistant.
• Although this plant is related to the olive tree, it is not edible!

Forsythia Varieties That Are Popular

There isn't a lot of variation in the color of the various forsythia kinds. Yellow, yellow, and yellow are the colors of the rainbow, and the white forsythia is the only exception.

This isn't to say that different variations aren't intriguing. Not at all, and size, shape, and bloom times are all different.

Let's look at the most common forsythia kinds and their qualities.

1. Suspensa Forsythia

Weeping forsythia, or Forsythia Suspensa, is a widespread form of the plant native to Asia. These shrubs are reliable and hardy, with pale yellow flowers and huge growth.

The flowers grow typically 8 to 10 feet tall, with leaves 2 to 5 inches long.

You've got yourself an excellent hedging plant on your hands. Forsythia blossoms look lovely, growing on a slope or hanging over a wall. This cultivar has a 4-petal flower and blooms from April to May.

2. The Northern Gold Forsythia

This lovely golden-yellow flower is known as the "official spring harbinger." The upright-growing Northern Gold blooms before the dark green leaves develop in the spring.

This plant thrives in full sun and wet soil, growing to a height of 6-8 feet and a width of 5-7 feet.

3. Border Forsythia

Border Forsythia, often known as "golden bells," is a medium-sized plant that can be found throughout the southern United States. It is well-known for its brilliant bright yellow blossoms.

You're looking at a cross between a Green-Stemmed Forsythia and a Weeping Forsythia hybrid that can thrive in full sun or shade.

Another fantastic feature of this species is that its eye-catching yellows let it stand out even in the twilight.

4. Vermont Sun Forsythia

This variety, commonly known as Forsythia Mandschurica, is one hardest.

The leaves are 3 inches in diameter and circular. The rigid and upright branches, which are a vital trait of this cultivar, can be seen in the photograph below.

Black buds give way to sulphur yellow blooms. The flowers are deciduous and hardy, and early February is when the flowers begin to bloom.

5. Green Stem Forsythia

Forsythia Viridissima is another name for this cultivar. It's a little deciduous shrub that can reach a height of 0.75 to 1 foot and a spread of 2 to 3 feet. The leaves are elliptic-oblong in form and can reach a length of 6 inches.

This plant thrives in a low-growing environment and blooms from March to April. It has yellow flowers that are toned down and may thrive in partial shade and full sun.

6. Forsythia Goldilocks

This variation, also known as Courtacour or Gold Curl Forsythia, is a deciduous shrub mutation of the Spring Glory type.

As shown in the image below, the flowers are firm and compact in shape, and they grow in abundance.

Well-drained soil is ideal for these plants. Don't be too concerned about the temperature; and this species can even withstand cold conditions.

7. White Forsythia

Because of its color, white forsythia stands out among the other varieties. It produces rich white flowers that resemble the conventional yellow variants in shape and arrangement.

This flower may undoubtedly offer a sense of elegance to a landscape, whether alone or in combination with other flowering plants.

These flowers, likewise in the Oleaceae family, typically reach a height of 3 to 6 12 feet. From March to April is the blooming season.

However, the best time to plant these bushes is in the spring or early fall. Although it can thrive in both full sunlight and somewhat shaded areas, it blooms better in the latter.

8. Forsythia Gold Tide

This compact perennial border shrub, sometimes known as Forsythia Courtasol, grows up to 24 inches tall and spreads 3-4 feet wide.

With some of its branches laying directly on the ground, it's a beautiful ground cover type forsythia.

The petals turn a beautiful reddish color on the outside and a soft yellow on the interior as the fall season approaches.

This plant bloomed with magnificent lemon-yellow flowers in the early spring season, as seen in the photo above.

9. Dwarf Forsythia Arnold

The Arnold dwarf plant, also known as a magnificent dwarf subterranean shrub species, can grow up to 2-3 feet tall.

The flowers are pale yellow, while the leaves are sharp green. As shown above, it also produces gorgeous dark green foliage that turns a dramatic bronze-green color in the fall.

10. Forsythia Lynwood Gold

Last but not least, this type is charming in the spring, when it blooms profusely with bright golden blossoms that can reach a height of up to 10 feet.

To thrive, it requires well-cultivated soil. Apart from that, it is not a high-maintenance plant.

One feature worth highlighting is that when the blooms fade, the petals take on crimson and orange hues that contrast beautifully with the dark green leaves.

How To Grow And Care for Forsythia

Aren't you used to viewing the leaves first and then the blossoms on most plants? This one is unique.

Flowers occur before leaves on forsythia plants. As a result, you'll get an unobstructed view of these lovely blossoms.

You can expect the plant to bloom as early as late January if you live in a warm area, but it usually blooms around March.

These blossoms can remain for two to three weeks if not killed by the cold. But be careful with the pruning, since it might easily damage them! In a moment, we'll talk about pruning.

Planting Forsythia Seeds

Seeds are a relatively simple technique to grow this plant. You can merely acquire the seeds if you don't have them in a container ready to transplant, and it's something that a lot of gardeners do.

Look for high-quality seeds in a variety that is well-suited to your climate. Seeds are available both locally and online.

To get you started, here are some suggestions:

When Should You Plant Forsythia?

If there isn't a freeze or frost, you can plant the seeds at any time. However, it is advisable to avoid growing them during the hot summer months.

If you forget to plant it in the spring, you can do so in the fall. However, keep in mind that a hard winter could harm it.

Soil

Almost all soil conditions are tolerated by forsythia, and it does, however, prefer clay and loam soils. Not sure what kind of soil you have? More information on soil types can be found here.

A well-drained garden with a medium nutrient level in the soil is ideal for blossom. The pH level for these yellow flowering shrubs should be between 6.8 and 7.7.

You can use sublimed sulphur to lower the pH of the soil if it is too high. If the pH needs to be raised because it's below the required level, powdered limestone can help.

Light

Forsythia flowers thrive in full sun, but they can also thrive in partial shade, but they may not bloom as well. A lack of sunshine may result in straggly growth.

As a result, make sure your forsythia plant gets at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. You're taking chances if you go lower than that.

Temperature

Forsythia thrives in temperatures ranging from 55 to 70 degrees. In lower conditions, the plants will be pretty hardy.

Keep in mind that forsythia thrives in humid environments. Flowers will wilt if the climate is too moist, and they may not grow in arid conditions.

Watering

Often, you can only water the plant during long periods of drought. But, to be sure, look at the soil's surface. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that dry soil means your plant needs water.

Pay attention to the leaves as well. If they start to sag, the plant isn't getting enough water.

Early morning or late evening are the optimum times to water your plant. The plant usually doesn't need any more watering in the fall, winter, or spring (unless it's an arid season).

Pruning

Pruning is critical to the shrub's healthy and attractive development. If you don't prune the bushes regularly, they can become unruly and, to be honest, rather wild-looking.

Isn't it probably not what you're going for? Trim your forsythia now and again for a tidy, compact appearance.

It's possible that your flower isn't blossoming because of improper pruning. It's critical to prune this plant shortly after flowering since it generates buds on the previous year's growth.

You can also prune the shrub's newer branches to give it a more excellent form.

However, this shrub does not need to be pruned every year. Some gardeners prefer the shrub's unkempt appearance, which works well in a rock garden.

Prune every two years or so if you enjoy the messy look. The final line is that pruning is beneficial but not required.

Wintering

While this shrub prefers the sun, it usually has little trouble surviving the winter. Low temperatures are no problem for older bushes and those planted in the spring.

Only if you plant it in the fall is there an exemption. If you do this and then have a brutal winter, your plant may struggle to grow and even perish.

You can also safeguard your plant in the winter by doing the following:

• Add a thick layer of brushwood or mulch on top.
• Place potted plants on a styrofoam plate and cover with a fleece or foil to preserve the container.

Gardeners frequently ask us questions about this plant. We decided to compile a list of the most often asked questions and provide answers here. We hope you find the responses to be helpful!

Forsythia Will Brighten Up Your Garden

Or how about some beautiful white forsythia? It's entirely up to you.

You're looking at a lovely, low-maintenance shrub with brilliant golden blossoms that can bring color and volume to your garden while filling in gaps and hiding unsightly areas.

Something about the yellow blooms reaching for the blue sky in the image below makes you want to plant this in your yard, right?

Regardless of which kind you choose, we recommend pruning it once a year to keep it looking friendly and healthy.

Now it's your turn. Do you have any queries regarding these lovely flowers? Get in contact with us, and we'll be pleased to answer your questions and assist you in growing beautiful forsythias!