Forsythia European. Forsythia: practical recommendations for planting and care. Ideal conditions for growing forsythia

When it is still cool outside, and the trees are gloomy and without leaves, forsythia bushes flare up like a bright yellow flame. An unpretentious plant is a real primrose among tree species. The modern variety of forms and varieties allows it to be used even in regions with cold winters.

Forsythia: a brief description

The genus of plants got its name in honor of W. Forsythe (Scottish botanist), who served as the chief gardener in He brought it to Europe from China. The second name of the genus is Forsythia, it combines 14 species of shrubs and small trees belonging to the olive family. All of them are highly decorative and lush flowering, and therefore are actively used in plots, parks.

The height of the shrub is on average 1-3 m, rarely reaches 6 m. The bushes are sprawling, wide, the diameter reaches 2 meters. Forsythia intermediate, European and other species have bright yellow bell-shaped flowers.

The natural habitat is broken, which indicates the antiquity of the whole genus of plants. European Forsythia is found in Albania and the former Yugoslavia. And all other varieties grow in the countries of East Asia (Korea, Japan, China).

The use of forsythia in gardening

The plant is very popular in Europe, where it can be found in many parks and gardens. Forsythia is valued for its high decorative effect. Lush bloom bushes starts in early spring as soon as the snow melts. The bare branches are covered with a dense cover of small flowers, and only after they begin to wither do the leaves appear. Looks especially impressive in the company of conifers and shrubs. Widespread use is also associated with the undemanding of the shrub to the soil, the most important thing is that they be well-drained. Forsythia intermediate can grow in full sun or partial shade.

Shrubs are practically not susceptible to diseases and various pests, and this also distinguishes them favorably from the rest. Some species are quite cold-resistant and, when sheltered for the winter, may well grow in the conditions of central Russia.

Forsythia intermediate: photo and description

Sometimes it is also called Forsythia average. This is a garden hybrid obtained by crossing forsythia greenest and drooping. deciduous shrub has a considerable size and grows up to 2-3 meters in height. It has a spreading crown. The shoots are combined, some of them are erect, while others are drooping (arc-shaped). The bark is light golden yellow, young branches have a greenish tint. The leaves are large, from 5 to 12 cm in length, lanceolate-ovate, the part near the petiole is whole, and the edges are serrate-toothed. Forsythia intermediate is covered with leaves only after the flowering period, and then retains juicy greens for a long time. In autumn, the bushes become purple, yellow or even large and are collected several pieces (up to 6) in each bud on last year's shoots.

Flowering period - April-May. The hybrid is quite frost-resistant and can withstand temperatures as low as -29°C. AT middle lane Winter shelter is required. This forsythia has been introduced into culture since 1880. At the present stage, it has many highly ornamental varieties with large flowers, which are widespread compared to the original species.

Tall shrub (2-3 m in height) with a spreading crown. It is light-requiring, flowers have The grade has average frost resistance (to -26 °C). Large flowers cover the bare branches for two weeks in May, after which the leaves appear, which turn yellow and yellow in autumn. purple shades. Before winter, the shrub needs to be covered, and the branches should be pinned to the ground. Forsythia intermediate Linwood Gold, which is extremely easy to care for, is very often used in urban landscaping of parks, as it is resistant to polluted air.

Forsythia Wick End

Deciduous shrub blooms before all other varieties of forsythia intermediate. The height of the plant is from one and a half to two meters, and the shoots tend to the ground as they grow and spread to the sides. Flowers reminiscent of the Linwood variety, bloom in large quantities, giving the impression of a large yellow flame in the garden. Forsythia intermediate Vic End lends itself well to shearing and shaping a bush, therefore it is widely used landscape designers both in group and in single landings. It grows on almost any soil in which there is enough moisture, from alkaline to acidic.

A grade of average resistance to colds (to -26 °C). It does not tolerate summer drought, so regular watering is required.

Forsythia Goldsauber

A very popular and sought-after variety of German selection, it has perhaps the highest resistance to cold and winter frosts. Therefore, it certainly deserves attention. Flowering continues for three weeks (from mid-April). It reaches a height of 2 meters, and the formation of a bush and crown ends only in the eighth year after planting. Long, drooping branches create a simply charming picture. The flowers are large, golden yellow with a thin pleasant aroma. Forsythia Intermediate Goldsauber prefers sunny places with well hydrated and Crohn can be subjected to decorative pruning, the plant tolerates it well. In hot seasons, it needs additional watering. Bright emerald foliage turns golden red in autumn.

Planting Forsythia

You can plant and transplant shrubs either in the fall, but so that the plants have time to get stronger before the onset of the first frost. Forsythia prefers areas protected from the wind, sunny or in light partial shade of the garden. It is undemanding to the soil, but it will grow better on slightly alkaline lands. Therefore, when preparing the soil, add a little wood ash. Leave the distance between the bushes at 1.5 meters.

The planting hole for the plant should be 50 * 50 * 50 in size. At the bottom, be sure to pour expanded clay, broken brick or crushed stone with a layer 15-20 cm thick, and then a layer of sand. Good drainage will be helpful. After planting, the ground around the bush must be tamped and watered abundantly.

Forsythia intermediate (Linwood, Goldzauber, etc.), planted in the spring, will require regular care in the future. And here autumn shrubs more attention will be needed. Firstly, it is necessary to mulch the near-stem circle. For the winter, the plant must be covered, choose a material with good breathability, so that during possible thaws, the flower buds on the shoots do not rot.

Forsythia care: basic rules

Growing forsythia is quite simple and is not much different from caring for other shrubs in the garden.

  • Watering is required only in dry summers, its frequency is 1-2 times a month, 10-12 liters for each bush.
  • Loosening the soil - to the depth of a shovel bayonet and weeding after watering, subsequent mulching with dry earth or compost.
  • Fertilization - three times a season. In early spring, humus is laid out near the trunk and then watered abundantly; in April, a complex mineral fertilizer(per 1 square meter 60-70 g), then after flowering is over, it is recommended to pour Kemira-universal with a solution.
  • Young forsythia intermediate, like all other species, is subjected only to sanitary pruning. Adult bushes ennoble in the summer, after flowering. At the same time, old and dried branches are cut off, leaving 4-6 cm stumps. This stimulates the formation of young shoots. If there is a need to rejuvenate an old bush, then cut off all the branches at least 2/3 of the entire length. But such a measure can be applied no more than once in 3-4 years.

decorate your garden plot can be not only flowers. More and more appears in the sale of ornamental trees and shrubs. They can be amazing and original jewelry site. Let us consider in more detail one plant that will interest many with its appearance.

Forsythia - flower or shrub?

If you want your garden to be fragrant from the beginning of April, then you should opt for such a shrub as forsythia. medium yellow. Planting and caring for this plant is not difficult. Even novice gardeners can handle it. Forsythia is a shrub with beautiful plants. Among all the variety of plants, this specimen is the most spectacular and bewitching. The shrub belongs to the early primrose plants that delight with their greenery when there is still snow on the street. If you look closely at the forsythia, you can see that the flowers cover the entire space of the branches. Because of the buds, even the leaves are not visible. There are many types of such a shrub, which are worth dismantling in more detail.

Forsythia types

As we have already found out, the primrose shrub is medium yellow forsythia. Planting and caring for her are simple and unpretentious.

To begin with, it is worth talking about the varieties of this representative of the flora. There are several. Let's consider some of them in detail:

This variety of forsythia is not limited. We have given examples of the main representatives of this plant. Gardeners should be aware of the methods of growing forsythia and how to care for it. We will talk about all this further.

What is the cultivation of forsythia

If you have chosen such a spectacular shrub as medium yellow forsythia, it must be properly cared for. This bush, like any other plant, loves watering, pruning and fertilizing the soil. So, a representative of the Olive family requires the following care after planting:

  • glaze;
  • trimmings;
  • fertilizers.

Let's consider each item separately.

Landing

In order for the bush to grow well and smell fragrant, you need to carefully choose a place for planting it. Particular attention is paid to the soil. Forsythia does not have any serious preferences, but it is better if the soil contains sand, black soil, and humus. If the soil is strongly acidic, then it is pre-treated with slaked lime. Before planting a bush, ash, crushed stone or broken brick can be added to the dug hole. Thus, you will get good drainage for the roots.

Also important for such a plant sunlight, so it is better to land on a bright area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe territory.

Watering

Watering is done as needed. Forsythia is a drought-resistant plant, so you do not need to abuse water. From constant moisture, the roots of the plant will begin to rot, which in the future will adversely affect the condition of the shrub.

pruning

Pruning is done on a shrub that has a lot of extra branches. If there are none, then you should not touch the plant. Pruning must be done correctly using special equipment. Remove all young shoots and lateral lower branches. All sections must be treated with special tools. To do this, use or simply cover the place of the cut with paint. This will help the bush to continue to gain strength. Also, all dead branches that do not have buds are subject to pruning. This procedure is carried out either in early spring, before flowering, or in late autumn, preparing the plant for wintering.

Fertilizer

In spring, forsythia loves fertilizer. It is better to carry out this procedure with special mineral complexes, which contain everything. Further, after the bush has faded, you can make a second top dressing. It will help the plant gain new strength for next year. Fertilizer can be purchased at a specialized store, or you can make it yourself using soaked humus.

Beautiful and unpretentious plants will help decorate your garden, such as the middle yellow forsythia. Planting and care, as you can see, are simple. Also, do not forget that the soil must be constantly loosened and processed from weeds. If you want your garden to take on bright spring colors when the snow melts, medium yellow forsythia is perfect for you. Planting and care (the photo below will help you visually assess how a bush should grow) will not cause much trouble for her.

This plant is also suitable for home cultivation.

Forsythia at home

Few people thought that this plant is suitable for growing in any room. If you want to decorate your home with something amazing, then medium yellow forsythia will come to the rescue. Care at home is no different from the street. The only thing added is spraying the crown before flowering. To plant a plant, you need to pick big pot, since it has bulky roots. The earth can be bought in the store ready-made, with all the necessary additives and nutrients. Alternatively, you can prepare the soil yourself, while you need to remember about fertilizer.

For people who are constantly on the road, medium yellow forsythia is perfect. Planting in the spring and caring for it properly will ensure the plant continues to bloom. But there is one difference between street and indoor shrubs: on the latter, buds do not bloom on all branches. In order for the plant to look neat in the walls of the house, it must be constantly cut. This shrub will keep its shape well. Forsythia is ideal for art such as bonsai.

Having learned about such an amazing plant as medium yellow forsythia, use our tips. They will help to grow a colorful shrub in your garden or at home. It will delight with its flowering in the early spring. If you want to decorate the garden, then you should also choose a plant such as medium yellow forsythia. Planting and caring for the plant does not require any special skills. An unpretentious bush will grow in any area and delight you.

Forsythia can rightly be considered an ornament personal plot and the main focus of any plant composition. The bright shade of flowers with which the branches of this shrub are strewn attracts the eye with its sunny variegation. We will talk about growing forsythia, about plant varieties and the rules for caring for it in this article.

Forsythia, or forsythia, as it is also called, got its name from the botanist from Scotland - William Forsyth. This scientist was the first to bring the culture to Europe from China, which is considered the birthplace of the plant. Today, forsythia grows in large numbers in Albania, as well as in the countries of the former Yugoslavia, but some plant species are also cultivated in Russia.

Forsythia belongs to the heat-loving shrubs and feels best in mild climates. For example, in the southern strip of Russia, this culture begins to bloom as early as late February or early March. However, there are also more unpretentious, wild types of forsythia, which can easily endure small frosts.

Forsythia blooms quite abundantly, the branches of the bush are covered with many small buds, shaped like bells and reaching a diameter of 2-5 cm. These bells are located singly, but in some varieties they can be collected in inflorescences. AT color scheme Forsythia is dominated by yellow, which can vary in hue and saturation. The flowering period of forsythia is quite long and is about 20-25 days. At this time, the yellow forsythia becomes the main decoration of the garden. The culture can be successfully combined with other plants of a contrasting shade, for example, forsythia looks good against the background of dark green conifers or shrubs with rich red and burgundy foliage.

The forsythia shrub belongs to the deciduous plants of the Olive family. A characteristic feature of the culture is that it begins to bloom before it releases leaves. The foliage of the forsythia has an oblong shape and serrated edges. In total, the shrub has 6 main species, which are represented by many different varieties. In Russia, 3 types of crops are mainly grown, while the rest of the varieties are more thermophilic and grow in countries with a mild climate.

Types and varieties of forsythia

There are 6 main types of shrubs: drooping, dark green, intermediate, ovoid, medium and European forsythia. Of these plants in our country, forsythia is most often grown drooping, intermediate and ovoid. Let's take a closer look characteristics and varieties of each of these species.

Forsythia drooping

This plant is a medium-sized shrub, reaching 3 m in height. The culture begins to bloom approximately 5-6 years after its planting. Forsythia drooping is called so because of the characteristic appearance of the bush, from the main branches of which long thin shoots hang.

Young branches are decorated with small trifoliate leaves, while on older branches the foliage is ovoid. The buds of the culture are collected in small inflorescences of 5-6 pieces. The flowering period of forsythia drooping occurs in May and is approximately 18 days. When growing this type of shrub, it is important to remember that thin young shoots are very unstable to low temperatures therefore, with the onset of winter, they should be bent down in the ground and covered.

The most common varieties of such a plant are the following:

  1. Forsythia "Variegata" is distinguished not only by magnificent bright yellow flowers, but also decorative foliage. Pale green leaves have a light, yellowish-white edging along the edge.
  2. Forsythia "Fortune" has narrow trifoliate leaves and blooms with rich yellow buds.
  3. Variety "Artokaulis" is different unusual color bark and leaves, which are painted in a burgundy hue.
  4. Forsythia "Siebold" is a low-growing shrub whose branches spread along the ground. The flowers of this variety are rich yellow, bell-shaped, and their petals are beautifully curved outwards.

Forsythia dark green

This type of forsythia got its name from the shade of the foliage. The leaves of such a shrub are oblong, large, reaching 15 cm in length. Their surface is glossy, and due to the fact that the leaves abundantly cover the branches, such forsythia is often used as a plant for creating hedges. A green fence made from such bushes turns out to be dense and creates the impression of an impenetrable wall.

The buds on the branches are arranged singly. The flowers of this type of forsythia are quite large, have a bright yellow-green color. Dark green forsythia bushes grow up to 3 m in height, and they bloom a little later than other types of culture. The plant is not winter-hardy and in severe cold it must be covered.

Forsythia intermediate

A hybrid variety, bred by crossing the two species described above, is forsythia intermediate. This type of plant reaches a height of 3 m, has a lush spreading crown, its branches are straight or slightly lowered down. Saturated green foliage it can be oval or oblong, it reaches 10 cm in length and has jagged edges. Forsythia intermediate buds are most often collected in inflorescences of 5-6 pieces. Flowers have a rich yellow tint.

Forsythia intermediate is not too whimsical, it normally tolerates dry weather and mild cold, so this species is suitable for growing in climatic conditions our country. However, in very cold winters, the bush must be covered to protect it from freezing.

The plant begins to produce buds about 3 years after planting. The growing season of the crop lasts from the last days of April to the beginning of November. Flowering occurs in April-May and lasts for 20 days. With the onset of October, fruits appear in place of wilted buds. Such a plant is best propagated by cuttings cut in spring or summer periods, but the seeds of forsythia intermediate reproduce very poorly.

Consider the most beautiful and common varieties of shrubs:

  1. Forsythia "Dense-flowered" is a medium-sized shrub with a spreading crown. This variety blooms quite abundantly, releasing buds of a light yellow hue.
  2. Forsythia "Wonderful" reaches a height of about 2 m. The crown of such a bush is lush, the branches can be straight or slightly drooping. The flowers of this variety are large, reach 4 cm in diameter, have a rich yellow hue and are collected in inflorescences of 5-6 pcs. Forsythia "Wonderful" is considered one of the most beautiful ornamental plant varieties.
  3. Forsythia "Linwood" is a medium-sized plant, the bush of which grows up to 2-3 m in height. The diameter of the buds reaches 3.5 cm, during the flowering period the bush is abundantly covered with inflorescences. The decorativeness of the culture is due not only to bright yellow flowers, but also to foliage, which acquires purple and yellow hues with the advent of autumn.
  4. Forsythia 'Fiesta' is a relatively low shrub that grows only 1.5 m in height. The crown of the plant is dense, dense, compact. This variety of forsythia also has rather unusual and beautiful leaves. They are painted in 2 shades of green: lighter, yellowish spots appear on a dark background.
  5. Forsythia "Beatrix Farrand" grows up to 3 m in height. The variety has large foliage of a dark green hue. Flowers on the branches grow singly, reaching a diameter of about 6 cm, the shade of the buds is rich yellow. A shrub about 9 years old has a crown with a diameter of about 2 m. Forsythia of this variety is not very frost-resistant, therefore it is recommended to cover it for the winter period. It is preferable to propagate the culture by cuttings, since the seeds do not have good germination.

Forsythia ovoid

Forsythia ovoid is a medium-sized shrub, in adulthood reaching 1.5-2 m in height. The crown of the plant is dense, sprawling, the branches are covered with yellow-gray bark. The foliage of the culture has a bright green hue and grows up to 7 cm in length. Forsythia ovoid blooms mainly in single buds of a light yellow hue. The flowers of the culture are small, do not exceed 2 cm in diameter. This forsythia differs from other varieties in that it blooms much earlier, however, the duration of flowering in this culture is not so long and is 1.5-2 weeks.

The decorativeness of the plant is due beautiful foliage, which changes color from green to deep purple with orange flecks in autumn. Compared to other species, ovoid forsythia tolerates cold and drought best of all, in addition, it grows quite quickly. Such a shrub does not have to be covered for the winter, even during periods of severe frost. The plant can be cultivated different ways: seeds, layering, cuttings. It is most preferable to use cuttings as a propagation method, since this method gives an almost 100% result in the survival rate of new shoots.

Forsythia ovoid - great plant to create hedges, the shrub looks attractive not only in blooming form, but also by itself. Among the most popular varieties Such a culture can be called the following:

  1. "Dresdner Vorfrühling" is a dense, dense, compact shrub, decorated with small bright yellow buds during flowering. The diameter of the flowers is approximately 3-4 cm. This variety blooms 3 weeks earlier than other varieties of forsythia, while the flowering of the culture is quite plentiful.
  2. Forsythia "Tetragold" is a relatively low bush, reaching 1 m in height. Intense yellow buds have a diameter of about 3 cm. This variety is good to use in complex plantings, creating hedges or borders.
  3. Variety "Spring Glory" appeared in 1930 in America. The medium-sized shrub of this plant reaches 3 m in height, the diameter of its crown is the same. In autumn, the green foliage of this variety changes from dark green to yellow or purple. The flowering period of the crop falls in April. At this time, the branches of the bush are abundantly covered with rich yellow buds, the diameter of which reaches 3.5 cm.
  4. Variety "Goldzauber" is very popular among Russian gardeners, not only due to decorative qualities, but also because of the good frost resistance of the crop. The buds of such a forsythia are large, have a very bright yellow tint.
  5. Forsythia "Parkdecor" was obtained by hybridization of two varieties: "Spectabilis" and "Beatrix Farrand". The result of this crossing was a medium-sized shrub with a spreading crown and large, up to 6 cm in diameter, buds. Forsythia "Parkdecor" blooms profusely and brightly, releasing rich yellow bell flowers. Around October, fruits form in place of fallen buds. This variety also has good frost resistance and can tolerate winters that are not too cold without shelter.
  6. Forsythia "Melissa" looks like a low shrub with a dense, compact crown. During its flowering period, this variety produces a large number of bright, large buds, painted in a golden hue. It is best to use this variety in small gardens and home gardens.
  7. Forsythia "Weekend" has long branches, the growth of which is directed upwards. This culture blooms quite early, at the very beginning of spring. During flowering, the shoots are abundantly covered with large golden buds.

Forsythia medium

Forsythia medium is highly valued among gardeners due to its beauty. As a rule, such a shrub grows up to 3 m in height and has a dense spreading crown. Large branches growing from the trunk are directed upwards, and thin secondary shoots hang down in an arcuate manner. Such a culture begins to bloom already 2-3 years after planting, the flowering period falls on the end of April, and the duration is approximately 20 days. Forsythia average is considered the most frost-resistant species In addition, it tolerates drought very well. It is preferable to cultivate it by cuttings, since the seeds have low germination. This plant has several common varieties:

  1. Forsythia "Golden Magic" is a medium-sized culture, the height of an adult shrub reaches about 1.7-2 m. The crown is compact, does not exceed 1 m in diameter. The growing season lasts from April to October, and the flowering of the shrub falls on April-May and lasts about 3 weeks. The first buds appear about 4 years after planting. Forsythia bushes of this variety are recommended to be covered for the winter, and it is best to propagate it with cuttings.
  2. Forsythia "Vitellina" refers to low plants, an adult shrub reaches only 2 m in height, while the crown of the variety is quite spreading and exceeds 2.2 m in diameter. In a harsh cold climate, the culture can freeze, then its height will be no more than 1, 5 m. The growing season lasts from the last days of April to the beginning of November. The bush releases buds from April to May, the duration of flowering is from 15 to 20 days. The flowering of this variety cannot be called abundant, but due to the early appearance of buds, the culture is still popular as an ornamental plant.

Forsythia european

This type of plant is a shrub about 2 m high. Its crown is compact, not too spreading, not exceeding 1.5 m in diameter. The branches of the European forsythia are straight, directed upwards. Flowering occurs at the beginning of May and lasts 20-25 days. This variety is classified as a fairly frost-resistant plant.

Forsythia planting

Site selection

Forsythia belongs to heat-loving and light-loving crops, respectively, the place for its planting should be located in an open area, which is well lit by sunlight during most of the day. When choosing a place, also consider the frost resistance of the crop. If you have purchased a forsythia variety that does not tolerate cold well, try to plant it in a calm area or artificially create wind protection.

Forsythia loves fertile light soils, saturated with air and quite loose. Acidic soil for such a crop is not suitable, if your site has acidic soil, add a little lime, dolomite flour or other deoxidizing agent to it.

When planting forsythia, take into account the width of its crown. As a rule, in most varieties, the crown of the bush is spreading, so it is necessary to plant such a plant in a fairly spacious place. However, there are also compact varieties of culture that are suitable for planting in small or densely planted areas.

Soil preparation and planting forsythia

From proper preparation soil largely depends on how well the forsythia will take root in a new place and how abundantly it will bloom. If your site has heavy or too acidic soil, its preparation is not only desirable, but mandatory. To create a good soil mixture, you will need sand, leafy soil, humus, small pebbles or broken bricks. To neutralize acidic soil, you will also have to prepare dolomite flour, slaked lime or wood ash.

To begin, mix leafy soil, sand and humus in a ratio of 1x2x1. To neutralize the soil, add about 300 g of a deoxidizing agent to the composition of the soil mixture. Then dig a hole for the bush. Its approximate dimensions are 60x60x70 cm, although in this matter one should focus on the diameter of the root of the transplanted plant. Pour broken brick or pebbles into a dug hole with a layer of up to 20 cm - this will serve as a drainage that drains from the soil excess water. Then cover the stones with a 10 cm layer of sand. Pour some earth into the hole, place a seedling on top, straighten its roots and cover them with soil mixture. After that, carefully moisten the forsythia and, if necessary, add more earth. Then the soil around the bush must be mulched with sawdust, peat or dry foliage. Mulching is necessary so that the soil does not dry out after watering, and the moisture from it evaporates more slowly.

The ideal time for planting forsythia is mid-autumn, when the weather is still quite warm. Pay attention to the fact that any variety of crop, regardless of its frost resistance, needs shelter for the winter in the first year after planting. To do this, before the onset of frost, the bush must be bent to the ground and fixed in this position. After that, the forsythia can be covered with spruce branches, dry foliage or sawdust. Sometimes plants are covered with plastic wrap, but this is not considered best material for such purposes, since it does not let air through at all.

Forsythia care features

Basic requirement good care behind any plant is its timely watering. As for forsythia, she does not like too much a large number water. This crop should be moistened only if necessary, when the yard is dry hot weather, and the soil near the plant has dried up. For one bush, no more than a bucket of water should be used, the frequency of watering is 1 time in 3-4 weeks. So that moisture does not evaporate from the soil too quickly, do not forget to mulch the ground around the trunk.

Forsythia responds well to top dressing, responding to them abundant flowering and the formation of beautiful large buds. It is not necessary to fertilize the crop too often, it is enough to carry out 1 top dressing every six months. The first time fertilizers are applied to the ground in the spring, before the bush begins to bloom. As nutrient a complex mineral fertilizer is quite suitable, 70 g of which is dissolved in water and applied under the root during irrigation. The second top dressing should be carried out immediately after the forsythia fades. For the second procedure, you can use the same substance in the same amount.

For forsythia to feel comfortable, its roots need access to air. To do this, the ground around the bushes must be periodically loosened, while removing weeds. The depth of loosening should be at least 30 cm. The procedure is carried out using a hoe, shovel or flat cutter.

Pruning forsythia is another mandatory plant care activity. The decorativeness of the bush is directly related to whether the gardener is engaged in his regular haircut. It should be noted here that young plant do not cut for at least 3 years after planting, but a sufficiently mature and mature culture needs to be cut every year. Formative pruning is that first, dead branches are removed from the bush. They are not cut off completely, leaving small, 5-6 cm, stumps. From these stumps, new shoots will subsequently grow. All other branches should also be shortened by at least half, and if you want to give the bush nice shape, trim it into a ball or ellipse. Forsythia can be pruned in the summer, as soon as the plant has passed the flowering phase. Since, over time, the shrub grows too much and loses its decorative effect, it is necessary to carry out rejuvenating pruning from time to time. They are carried out at least once every 4 years, while the bush is either cut off completely, leaving a stump up to 10 cm high, or all branches are cut to 2/3 of the length.

Reproduction of forsythia

There are several ways to cultivate forsythia: seed propagation, cuttings or propagation by layering. Planting seeds is considered the least popular method, since their germination is very low. Most often, gardeners resort to propagating forsythia by layering, since this method is the easiest and fastest. Layers are rooted shoots, and forsythia often forms layers on its own, without the help of a gardener. But if you want to use as planting material some specific shoots, then bend them to the ground, cut a little at the place where the wood touches the soil, and then fix the branches and pour a hill of earth in this place. The next year, when the layering takes root, it must be cut off from the mother plant and transplanted to a permanent place.

Another popular way of breeding forsythia is cuttings. For this procedure, you can use both green and lignified cuttings. Green shoots are cut from the mother bush in the summer, in early June. Then they are placed in a container with water, where they are diluted special solution for rooting. Such a solution can be "Kornevin" or "Epin". When roots form on the sprouts, the plants are transplanted into the ground and covered with a film. With the onset of autumn, the cutting becomes strong enough so that it can be transplanted to a permanent place of growth.

Breeding of forsythia with lignified cuttings is carried out in a similar way, only such shoots need to be cut from the bush not in summer, but in autumn. Thick lignified cuttings up to 18 cm long are immersed for some time in the Kornevin solution, after which they are transplanted into the ground, digging to a depth of about 10 cm. After that, the shoots are insulated with dry foliage.

The use of forsythia in garden design

Forsythia in landscape design has found its application as an element of mixborders, where it is planted in the back rows. Nice it's bright yellow plant looks great in combination with others ornamental shrubs, especially with those that have dark foliage. Forsythia is used both in single plantings and in complex plant compositions. Due to the fact that the shrub blooms early, it can be planted next to later flowering species.

Forsythia bushes often have a very dense and dense crown, in addition, they grow quickly and tolerate pruning well. Due to these qualities, culture is often used to create borders and hedges.

Concerning single landings, then forsythia look great in the wild natural gardens, as well as in rockeries and rock gardens. The advantage of the culture is that it grows well in a polluted atmosphere and is able to purify the air from harmful emissions. Due to this property, the plant can be used in urban gardening.

Forsythia: landing and care. Video

Forsythia.

Forsythia, forsythia or forsythia is a genus of shrubs and small trees of the Olive family, blooming with beautiful yellow flowers.

Forsythia is one of the first flowering shrubs. In the spring, long before the leaves appear, many golden-yellow flowers bloom on its bushes. Flowering lasts about 25 days, and then the leaves appear. At first light green, in autumn they turn into bright colors, and forsythia again attracts attention.

European Forsythia (Forsythia europaea) grows in Albania and the territory of the former Yugoslavia, all other species - in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea). Such a fragmentation of the natural range indicates the significant antiquity of this genus.

plant height - from 1 to 3 m, occasionally up to 6 m. The width of the bushes is up to 2 m. The bark is gray-brown, rough.

Leaves simple, occasionally compound (trifoliate), without stipules; oval, notched. The leaf arrangement is opposite. Leaf length - from 2 to 15 cm.

flowers large, bell-shaped, bright yellow. The fruit is a pod that breaks into nests, with several winged seeds.

AT Western Europe the plant is quite popular, it can be found in many gardens and parks. It is especially valued for its yellow flowers that appear on bare branches as soon as the snow melts.

It is an undemanding shrub that can grow in full sun or partial shade. The main requirement for soil is its water permeability. Immediately after flowering, the bushes are heavily pruned, otherwise the forsythia grows quite quickly. Some types of forsythia are frost-resistant, so it can be cultivated in the conditions of central Russia, but with severe frosts the flower buds of the plant freeze.

Forsythia needs watering, loosening the trunk circle and weeding. Forsythia tolerates dry soil better than too wet.

In winter, the most vulnerable point of forsythia is the flower buds that appear on last year's shoots. Therefore, in order for the branches to be strewn with flowers in spring, the plant is covered for the winter: the branches are bent to the ground and covered.

In the spring, when the buds begin to bloom, you can remove the frozen ends of the shoots to living wood. And immediately after flowering, shorten the branches so that as many side shoots as possible form by next year.

When propagated by layering in summer or autumn, the lower young branch is bent to the ground, fixed with hairpins and sprinkled with fertile soil (before bending the branch, you can cut the bark on it - then the roots will appear faster). In the spring, this branch is cut off from the bush. By next year it will be a new plant.

Forsythia are almost not affected by diseases and pests.

The most winter-hardy of all forsythia is the ovoid forsythia. Low shrub 1.5-2 m tall with grayish-yellow branches, bright green leaves and bright yellow flowers up to 2 cm in diameter.

Flowering lasts 10-17 days. By autumn, the leaves turn dark purple and orange, making forsythia elegant.

Very popular forsythia drooping with golden yellow flowers up to 2.5 cm in diameter and its shape: with purple young leaves and stems and variegated leaves.

Siebold's form is undersized, with dark yellow flowers, thin creeping shoots.

Forsythia intermediate. Shrub up to 3 m high, with straight or slightly hanging shoots.

The leaves are simple, oblong, 7-10 cm long, serrated along the edges.

Flowers 1-3, rarely 6, golden yellow, perianth tube inside with orange-yellow stripes, long limbs of the flower, the same length as the tube.

Blooms in April-May, profusely before leafing out and very showy during flowering. There are varieties: Spectabilis, Spring Glory, Beatrix Farand.

It grows quickly, frost-resistant, hardy in urban conditions, used in landscaping.

Grows best in fresh fertile soils containing lime.


real decoration spring garden. This is the name of the beautiful forsythia, a unique shrub with bright yellow flowers that bloom on its branches long before the first foliage appears. And indeed it is. After all, this amazing plant blooms in early April, when nature is just beginning to wake up from a long winter sleep. When all the bushes and trees are still bare, forsythia, shrouded in a golden-lemon cloud of its openwork flowers, looks especially expressive and impressive against their gray background.

Characteristics

Forsythia, or forsythia, is a shrub belonging to the Olive family. Its height is from one to three meters. The texture of the bark is rough, gray-brown. The branches are drooping, spreading along the ground, which is why they sometimes take root. The structure of the leaves is mostly simple, without stipules. The location is opposite, the shape is oval, with small notches along the edges and a pointed tip. The length of the leaf plate is 2-15 cm.

Flowers - in the form of bells with a diameter of about 2.5 cm, with a bright yellow color, are collected in inflorescences of a few-flowered type. The fruits are elongated capsules that crack when ripe, containing a small number of winged seeds. Flowering period: about 25 days, from March to April, continues until the first leaves appear.

Forsythia looks no less attractive in autumn period when its delicate green foliage turns golden or purplish purple color. Because of such a bright, variegated color, the shrub looks most spectacular when planted against the background of dark green conifers, emphasizing its unusual and original “appearance”.

Varieties and varieties

In modern horticulture, several types of forsythia have become widespread, on the basis of which varieties suitable for growing in a temperate climate have been bred. This is:

Forsythia drooping or hanging down

It has the appearance of a shrub, up to 3 meters in height, with a straight stem and shoots of a tetrahedral shape, hanging in the form of arcs and having an olive or reddish-brown color. The shape of the leaves on growing shoots is trifoliate, on old branches it is ovoid. The golden yellow flowers are collected in small bunches, evenly spaced throughout the shoot.

  • Variegata. Distinctive feature: variegated leaves and bright flowers with a deep yellow color.

Variegata

  • Fortune or hanging forsythia. It has narrow trifoliate leaves, thick hanging shoots and dark yellow flowers.

Fortune

  • Siebold. It has creeping shoots with dark yellow flowers, the petals of which are bent back.

Siebold

Forsythia intermediate

It is a hybrid obtained on the basis of dark green and drooping forsythia. It has spreading branches, with erect or slightly falling shoots. Leaf type - simple, oval. Length - about 10 cm. Flowers - golden yellow, united in small inflorescences of several pieces each. Differs in drought and frost resistance. In the middle lane it hibernates with shelter for the winter. Average height - 3 m. Flowering period: April-May.

Popular varieties:

  • Densiflora. A compact shrub up to 1.5 m high with a crown diameter of up to 1.3 m. The flowers are pale yellow, abundantly crowded. Flowering - during May.

Densiflora

  • Linwood. It grows up to 2-3 m. In summer, this shrub has a green color, and in autumn it becomes golden or purple. Flowers are golden.
  • Spectabilis. Miniature bush, up to 1 m in height, with picturesquely falling shoots. Crown diameter - 1.2 m. Flower color - dark yellow, diameter - 4.5 cm. Very beautiful and spectacular variety.

Spectabilis

Forsythia ovoid

The maximum height is about 2 m. The first flowering - at 4 - 5 years of age. The form of shoots is sprawling-creeping. The length of the leaves is about 7 cm. In summer they have a bright green color, and in autumn they turn purple. Flowers are solitary, bright yellow, up to 2 cm in size.

Advantages of this type: high speed growth, resistance to drought and frost. Varieties:

  • spring glory. Tall bush of spherical shape (up to 3 m in height and in diameter). AT summer time has a light green color, acquiring a purple or gold hue in autumn.

spring glory

  • Goldzauber. One of the most sought after and popular varieties with high decorative characteristics. It has very large, showy flowers with a rich, bright color. It tolerates winter well in temperate climates.

Goldzauber

  • Tetragold. A small plant, up to 1 m high, with dark yellow flowers, about 3 cm in size. Beginning of flowering: mid-April.

In addition to the listed species, several more varieties of plants are grown in the warm climate zone, including the greenest forsythia (requiring mandatory shelter for the winter), Giralda forsythia (has very early term flowering), European, etc.

Reproduction and cultivation technology

Reproduction of forsythia is carried out in various ways, the most common of which are cuttings and breeding by layering.

In the first case, green or lignified shoots (cuttings) are used for this purpose. It happens like this:

When using green cuttings

  1. Planting material is harvested in June.
  2. The prepared cuttings are placed in a solution of a root formation stimulator, for example, Kornevin, after which they are rooted in sand or perlite, covered with a layer of film.
  3. Optimal temperature regime for survival: + 22 ... + 25 degrees. Subject to this condition, optimal humidity achieved through the use polyethylene film, the formation of roots occurs in 95-100% of the cuttings.

When using lignified shoots

  1. Procurement of material for planting is carried out in early October.
  2. For rooting, thick shoots are selected that have reached the age of one year, about 15 cm long, which are cut “on an oblique”.
  3. All lower foliage is removed from them.
  4. The cuttings are stuck into the soil, so that two or three buds remain on the surface, and are covered with dry leaves.
  5. The result of such work will be visible in early spring, when some of the shoots, after harvesting the foliage, will grow. By autumn, such cuttings will become full-fledged seedlings. You can learn about how Eustoma is planted for seedlings by reading this

Forsythia can also be grown from seeds, but due to their low germination rate, this method is rarely used.

It happens like this:

  1. Before planting, the seeds are subjected to two months of preparation and hardening at a temperature of +2 to +5 degrees. Then they are placed in the ground in spring or autumn.
  2. The picking of seedlings is carried out one year after their planting.
  3. Young plants are transplanted to a permanent place of "residence" at the age of 3-4 years.

Forsythia seeds

During the survival period, young bushes need a little attention and care. It is imperative to monitor the condition of the soil around the plants. It should be slightly damp, but not waterlogged.

Keep in mind: the average survival rate of plants planted by cuttings using lignified shoots is about 70%, that is, roots will take about 3-4 cuttings.

When propagating by layering, a healthy shoot is selected, which is bent to the ground, slightly cutting the bark in the lower part and sprinkling it with earth in this place, making a small mound. In order for the shoot to take root sooner, it must be watered regularly. And here is the cultivation of Aubrieta flowers.

Agricultural rules

Caring for forsythia is very simple, so anyone can easily handle it. It consists in the systematic implementation of several basic activities: watering, loosening, fertilizing, pruning and sheltering for the winter.

When caring for a plant, pay attention to the following points:

  • forsythia does not tolerate an excess of moisture, so it is better to “dry” it a little than to “fill it in”;
  • an excessively humid environment in which the shrub will grow will contribute to the appearance of putrefactive processes leading to its death;
  • regular watering is necessary for forsythia only in the rooting stage or during dry periods. In this case, the frequency of watering should be 1-2 times a week. After watering, loosening and mulching are required;
  • n lack of moisture will also adversely affect the condition of the plant. Its top will begin to dry, droop and wither. But timely watering can quickly fix this problem.

Forsythia should be fertilized in the spring, using well-rotted organic fertilizers e.g. manure. It is laid out in a fairly thick layer around the crown, at some distance from the trunks and leaves, after which the bush is watered abundantly.

At the beginning of spring, they also fertilize with mineral components, applying complex fertilizer in the proportion of 60-70 g / m 2. At the end of flowering (approximately by the end of April), the shrub is fed with Kemira-universal preparations, adding 100-120 grams of the preparation per 1 square meter of soil. In early autumn, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied (100 g of superphosphate or 50 g of potassium salt per square meter). After fertilization, the soil must be loosened.

In order to give yourself a spring mood and enjoy the flowering of forsythia before the start of the calendar spring, several shoots of the plant can be cut and placed in water in warm water with the addition of granulated sugar (50 g per 1 liter). After 4-5 days, buds will appear on them, and after another 4 days, beautiful golden flowers will open from them.

Trimming Rules

One of the essential measures for the care of forsythia is its pruning. It is produced twice: in spring and autumn. After winter, the bushes are carefully inspected for damaged and frozen branches. They are carefully removed. In addition, at spring pruning remove from a third to a half of faded inflorescences.

Such pruning "under the stump" allows you to improve the plant, after which it will quickly recover and start up new young shoots. However, you should not get carried away with pruning too much, as this will lead to an increase in the volume of the crown and reduce the intensity of its flowering. Also, forsythia can be slightly trimmed “for winter”, giving it the desired shape: cup-shaped or spherical.

For the winter, the bushes must be covered with spruce branches.

Video

Detailed features of growing and caring for forsythia are shown in the video below.

Control of diseases and pests

Forsythia is highly resistant to most fungal and bacterial diseases. Very rarely suffers from bacteriosis, moniliosis and fusarium wilt.

In the first case, the only way to deal with the problem is the complete destruction of the plant. To eliminate Fusarium bushes are treated with a solution of the drug Fundazol at a concentration of 2-5%. From moniliosis, manifested in the appearance on the leaves brown spots are disposed of by cutting and scrubbing the affected plant tissues down to healthy tissue.

Defeat by moniliosis

Among insects, the most dangerous enemies of forsythia are nematodes or whitish mealybugs attacking the roots of a shrub. Their reproduction occurs very quickly, as a result of which the plant weakens and dies, losing its nutritious juices. To prevent this phenomenon, next to forsythia, it is good to plant calendula or marigolds, the smell of which pests do not tolerate.

Even better, after waiting for the flowering of marigolds or marigolds, collect their petals and bury them next to the roots of the bush.