Forsythia FactsThe forsythia is a flowering shrub that blooms in early spring. The blooms are bright yellow and very stunning. The bush is native to Asia and it is pretty limited regarding hardiness zones. In the United States, it grows best in zone 5. They require full sun and well-draining soil. The flowers on this shrub are often referred to as “The Golden Bell”. The name actually came from honoring a renowned British botanist, William Forsyth, by naming the plant after him. There are over 10 species of this genus of plants. Where to Plant Them…This type of shrub grows pretty radically if not pruned. They are great as stand-alone shrubs and they can be used in hedges. In my opinion, it would be difficult to fit the Golden Bell bush into a flower garden design.How to Plant Them…The shrub can be grown from cuttings or from pre-established plants. To start from cuttings, use a fresh cut branch and place the end of the cutting in moist soil until it roots. When transplanting established plants, you will do best if you plant it during the winter while the plant is dormant.How to Care for Them…The care of these plants basically consists of watering them, fertilizing them and pruning them. They grow best in full sunlight, but are somewhat tolerant of partial shade. The soil should be kept moist, but it should be well draining.To produce bright blooms, the shrub should be fertilized in early spring. Using a high-phosphorous fertilizer will bring the greatest results. Pruning is a matter of choice. If you like the wild looking form of an un-pruned forsythia, then you don’t need to bother much with pruning. However, if you want to tame it down, you can prune them right after they bloom. When pruning the shrub, be aware that blooms come from the growth of the previous year. If you cut off blooms, they will quickly restore. If you have grown this type of shrub, please
share your flower photos and experiences.
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