Forsythia, the Harbinger of Spring
Welcome spring with the bright yellow blossoms of forsythia.
Plant forsythias in full sun for the best flowering; although they will tolerate partial shade. They adapt to a wide range of soil conditions, including clay, but prefer well-drained soil.
The showy flowers have a slight fragrance and the deer tend to leave these plants be. Forsythias are basically pest free and tolerate the toxic juglone contained in black walnut tree roots, leaves and nuts.
Northern gardeners should select varieties that are flower bud hardy. Both the plant and flower buds will survive cold winter temperatures. So you’ll be enjoying flowers from the tip of the stem to ground level.
Minimize maintenance by selecting varieties that will fit in the available space. You will find compact varieties for smaller locations and larger ones that make great screens, tall hedges or backdrops for other plantings.
A bit more information: Properly timed pruning is also critical to ensure spring bloom. Forsythias set their flower buds the previous summer. So prune the plants right after flowering if you need to reduce their size or encourage new growth. Pruning at other times eliminates the flower buds and the spring bloom.
Related
Audio
Audio
Categories
Upcoming Appearances
Jan. 20, 2021
Growing Herbs Indoors
Webinar
Register today
Jan. 27, 2021
Low Maintenance Houseplants
for Low Light Situations
Webinar
Register today
Feb. 3, 2021
Organic Control for
Houseplant Pests
Webinar
Register today
Plus, you can watch Melinda's past webinars on demand for a limited time.
Learn More
Book an Appearance
Win The Great Courses' Container Gardening Tips & Techniques DVD set
