Maintenance Landscaping Design

Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the family oleaceae. They are native to eastern Asia, from the himalayas east to japan and Korea. These deciduous shrubs are widely cultivated in temperate regions for their yellow flowers which appear in early spring before the leaves.

Alternative name

• Golden bell
  
• Winter bloom
  
• Joyous welcome
  
• Bright forecast
  
• Golden celebration

Basic info

• Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the olive family.
  
• There are about 11 species of forsythia.
  
• Forsythia flowers are yellow and bloom in the spring.
  
• The forsythia plant is native to temperate parts of Asia.
  
• Forsythia plants are used as ornamental plants.
  
• Forsythia is named after William Forsyth.
  
• Forsythia plants are fast-growing and easy to care for.
  
• Forsythia blooms on old wood, so it is important not to prune them in the fall.
  
• Forsythia are susceptible to a number of diseases and pests.
  
• Forsythia are considered to be one of the first signs of spring.

Related plant:
Weeping Forsythia

Planting Process

1. For forsythia, first step is to find a spot in your yard that gets full sun.
   
2. Once you have found the perfect spot, dig a hole that is twice the size of the roots ball.
   
3. Next, mix in some compost to the hole.
   
4. Place the roots ball in the hole and fill it in with the dirt.
   
5. Water the plant well.
   
6. Forsythia will bloom best if it is pruned in the late winter or early spring.
   
7. To prune, cut back all of the stems to about 6 inches.
   
8. In the summer, forsythia will benefit from an occasional deep watering.
   
9. Fertilize forsythia in the spring with a balanced fertilizer.
   
10. Enjoy the beautiful yellow blooms in the spring!

Related plant:
Forsythia Bush

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, it prefers really moist to wet conditions and can tolerate standing water for brief periods of time. It also prefers a neutral to slightly acidic pH level, but can grow in slightly alkaline soils as well.

Light condition

Just like other plants, forsythia requires sunlight to grow and produce flowers. The more sunlight the plant gets, the more flowers it will produce. However, too much sunlight can cause the leaves to burn.

The Temperature

The temperature condition that is necessary for Forsythia to grow is that the temperature must be below freezing. In order for the plant to produce flowers, the temperature must be below freezing for a certain amount of time.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant are for air around the plant to range from 45 to 55%. The plant does not like long periods of humidity that is to high or to low. If the plant is in an environment that has to high or to low of humidity it will show by the plants leaves turning yellow and then brown before falling off the plant.

Fertilizing

Discussing fertilizer, usually the plant food is composed of three primary macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). However, plants also need micronutrients, such as iron, magnesium, and manganese, in smaller quantities. The best time to fertilize forsythia is in early spring, just as new growth begins to appear. A general-purpose fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 is a good choice. Forsythia are not heavy feeders, so you don't need to use a lot of fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer to the soil around the plant, taking care not to get any on the leaves, stems, or flowers. Gently work the fertilizer into the top inch or so of soil. Water the plants well after fertilizing.

Light requirement

Pruning is an important part of caring for a forsythia plant. Pruning helps to shape the plant, promote new growth, and keep the plant healthy. When pruning a forsythia plant, be sure to remove any dead or diseased branches. Cut back any overgrown branches, and thin out the plant to promote air circulation.

Plant Propagation

Propagation is typically done by rooting cuttings taken from the tips of new growth in late spring. The cuttings should be 4 to 6 inches long and have 2 to 3 leaf nodes. Cut just below a node with a sharp knife or pruners and remove the bottom leaves. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant in a well-drained potting mix. Keep the soil moist but not wet and in a few weeks, you should see new growth.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is between one and two feet annually, with some dwarf varieties growing only six inches a year. Grown in full sun, forsythia flowers prolifically in early spring with little to no care. If you want to keep your forsythia compact, you can prune it after it blooms.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant plants are stem and root rots, or blights. These can be caused by too much moisture or poor drainage in the soil. If the plant is affected by stem rot, the stems will turn brown and mushy. If the plant is affected by root rot, the roots will turn brown and mushy. If the plant is affected by a blight, the leaves will turn brown and die.

Growing Tips

• Remember to water your forsythia regularly, especially when the weather is dry.
  
• Forsythias like full sun, so make sure to choose a spot in your garden that gets plenty of sunlight.
  
• To encourage strong growth, fertilize your forsythia once a year in the springtime.
  
• If you live in a cold climate, it’s important to protect your forsythia from the cold winter weather. mulch around the base of the plant to insulate it.
  
• Pruning your forsythia is important to maintain its shape and encourage new growth. Prune in late winter or early spring, before the plant begins to produce new leaves.
  
• If you want to propagate your forsythia, you can do so by taking cuttings from the tips of the branches.
  
• Forsythias are generally considered to be low-maintenance plants, but they can be susceptible to pests

Substitution

• Forsythia intermedia is a flowering plant in the olive family, Oleaceae.
  
• Forsythia viridissima is a flowering plant in the olive family, Oleaceae.
  
• Forsythia suspensa is a flowering plant in the olive family, Oleaceae.
  
• Forsythia x intermedia, commonly known as border forsythia, is a hybrid of Forsythia viridissima and Forsythia suspensa.
  
• Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the olive family, Oleaceae.
  
• Forsythia europaea is a flowering plant in the olive family, Oleaceae.
  
• Forsythia arnottiana is a flowering plant in the olive family, Oleaceae.
  
• Forsythia giraldiana is a flowering plant in the olive family, Oleaceae.
  
• Forsythia angustifolia is

Source:
Forsythia | Oklahoma State University
Forsythia - Horticulture, Landscape, and Environmental Systems
Yard and Garden: Forsythia | News