Forsythia × intermedia

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Forsythia × intermedia
Light:Full Sun Part Shade Full Shade
Moisture:Mesic
Hardiness:5
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:8'
Width:8'
Blooms:Early Spring-Mid Spring
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Forsythia x intermedia

Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates within 2 months[K]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. This is a hybrid species and seed will not come true to type.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood 10 - 15cm taken at a node, July/August in a frame. Plant out in autumn or spring. A very high percentage, they root within 3 weeks[1].

Cuttings of mature wood in a sheltered outdoor bed. Good percentage[1].

Cultivation: An easily grown plant, it succeeds in a well drained ordinary garden soil but prefers a rich soil[2]. Succeeds in limy soils[3]. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in semi shade[4]. Plants are tolerant of deep shade[5].

A very ornamental plant[2], there are several named varieties. Any pruning out of weak shoots, plus any trimming of hedges, is best done after the plant has flowered[6].

Birds may destroy the flower buds in cold areas[4].

This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[4].

Range: A hybrid of garden origin, F. suspense x F. viridissima.

Habitat: Not known in the wild.

Usage: Can be grown as a tall hedge, the var. 'Lynwood' is frequently used[7]. Var. 'Spectabilis' also makes a good hedge[4] as does 'Beatrix Farrand'[6].

Pollinators: Insects

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  3. Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  5. Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
  7. Shepherd, F. W.. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society, 1974.