How to Grow Forsythia Hedge - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Forsythia hedge is a plant that can be used to create a beautiful, natural privacy screen or hedge in your landscape. These lovely shrubs are easy to grow and maintain, and will add color and interest to your yard all year round.

How to Grow Forsythia Hedge - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Forsythia x intermedia
  • Summer gold forsythia
  • Border forsythia
  • Springtime forsythia
  • Golden Bells

Things to Know

  • Forsythia hedge is a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions.
  • Forsythia hedge is an evergreen plant that can provide year-round privacy and security.
  • Forsythia hedge can be pruned to any desired shape or size.
  • Forsythia hedge is relatively low-maintenance and does not require frequent watering or fertilizing.
  • Forsythia hedge is tolerant of salt and can be used as a beachfront property boundary plant.
  • Forsythia hedge is deer resistant and can help deter deer from entering your property.
  • Forsythia hedge can be used as a foundation planting or as a freestanding specimen plant.
  • Forsythia hedge can be propagated by division, cuttings, or rooting stem cuttings.
  • Forsythia hedge is susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases, including aphids, scale insects, and fungal diseases.
  • Forsythia hedge is a popular plant for use in hedges, topiary, and as a cut flower.

Related plant:
Weeping Forsythia

Growing Steps

  1. For forsythia hedge, first step is to find a well-drained sunny spot in your garden.
  2. Then, dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the root ball.
  3. After that, mix some organic matter into the hole.
  4. Now, place the forsythia plant in the hole and fill it with soil.
  5. Tamp down the soil gently and water the plant well.
  6. When the plant is established, prune it to the desired height and shape.
  7. Forsythia hedge needs to be fertilized in early spring and mid-summer.
  8. To keep the plant healthy, mulch around the base of the plant.
  9. If the plant becomes too large, you can rejuvenate it by pruning it back hard in late winter.
  10. Lastly, enjoy the beautiful yellow flowers of forsythia in spring!

Related plant:
Forsythia Tree

The Soil

About soil condition, a forsythia hedge will grow in any type of soil as long as it is well-drained. The plant can tolerate some drought but will not survive in soggy soil. It is best to plant forsythia in full sun for maximum bloom.

About light

So, like the other forsythia bushes, the forsythia hedge requires full sun to partial sun. This means that the hedge should be planted in an area of the yard that gets six to eight hours of sunlight each day. The forsythia hedge will also do best in a location that has well-drained soil.

Good Temperature

The temperature condition that is ideal for Forsythia is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate cold winters and hot summers as long as they have sufficient water. If the temperature gets too hot, the leaves will start to wilt and if it gets too cold, the leaves will fall off.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40 and 50%. anything outside of that range can be harmful to the plant. If the humidity is too high, the plant can suffer from fungal diseases. If the humidity is too low, the plant will become dry and brittle.

The Fertilizer

Discussing fertilizer, this kind of plant need more phosphorus and less nitrogen. This is because too much nitrogen will produce lots of leaves, but fewer flowers. When picking a fertilizer, look for something that's higher in phosphorus, like a 5-10-5 or 8-24-8. If you can't find something with a high second number, that's okay, too. Just avoid anything with a high first number, like a 30-10-10.

About light

Pruning a forsythia hedge is important to keep it looking neat and tidy. flowering. Forsythias are best pruned in late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. To prune, cut back all the stems by about one-third to one-half their length.

Plant Propagation

Propagation is usually done by rooting softwood cuttings taken from the plant in late spring. The cuttings should be 6-8 inches long and taken from the tips of the branches. They should be placed in a moist potting mix and kept in a warm, sunny location. Rooting will usually occur within 4-6 weeks.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate falls in the 6-12 inches per year range. However, young plants often grow much faster, putting on as much as 24 inches in a season. Once they are fully rooted in, growth slows considerably. Forsythia hedge is generally considered a fast-growing plant.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, aphids, and scale insects. If you see any of these problems, you should treat them immediately. Powdery mildew is a white powdery fungus that grows on the leaves of the forsythia hedge. Aphids are small green insects that suck the sap from the leaves of the forsythia hedge. Scale insects are small brown insects that suck the sap from the stems of the forsythia hedge.

Basics of Growing

  • Make sure to plant your forsythia hedge in an area that gets full sun.
  • Space your plants evenly when you plant them so that they have room to grow.
  • Prune your forsythia hedge regularly to encourage new growth and keep it looking its best.
  • Fertilize your forsythia hedge regularly to help it stay healthy and strong.
  • Water your forsythia hedge deeply and regularly during the growing season.
  • Mulch around your forsythia hedge to help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.
  • Keep an eye out for pests or diseases and take action if you notice any problems.
  • deadhead your forsythia hedge regularly to encourage more blooms.
  • Cut back your forsythia hedge in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth.
  • Enjoy the beautiful blooms of your forsythia hedge each spring!

Alternative Plants

  • Forsythia suspensa
  • Forsythia intermedia
  • Forsythia viridissima
  • Forsythia ovata
  • Forsythia europaea
  • Forsythia Roxburghii
  • Forsythia electa
  • Forsythia discolor
  • Forsythia hupehensis
  • Forsythia arborea

Source:
Forsythia | Home & Garden Information Center - Clemson University
Forsythia (Easter Tree, Forsythia, Golden Bells) | North Carolina ...
Forsythia Diseases - Penn State Extension

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
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Trees Category