Alphabetical Plant Listing

Forsythia x intermedia (Border Forsythia)

Border Forsythia, Common Forsythia


Forsythia x intermedia (Border Forsythia) is a deciduous shrub forming a graceful fountain with its upright-arching to spreading branches bending to the ground. They are clad with ovate, sharply serrated, medium to dark green leaves, up to 5 in. long (12 cm), which die off green or with a hint of burgundy in the fall. In early to mid-spring, a profusion of brilliant yellow, four-petaled flowers open on the naked branches. The flower effect is spectacular, brightening the landscape at a time when not much else is in bloom. Border Forsythia is extremely adaptable, tolerating most soils and climates. Great in mass plantings, shrub borders, or as a flowering hedge.

  • Grows up to 8-10 ft. tall (240-300 cm) and 10-12 ft. wide (300-360 cm).
  • A full sun or part shade lover, this plant is best grown in moist, well-drained soils. Best flower production is obtained in full sun. Tolerates average to poor garden soils. Some drought tolerance once established.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant, for foundations or hedges, in mixed borders, on banks or slopes. Great for coastal gardens, or cottage gardens.
  • Low maintenance, this plant is deer resistant and fairly trouble-free. Keep an eye out for leaf spots, crown gall, spider mites, and aphids.
  • Prune immediately after spring flowering to encourage strong, healthy shoots and improve flowering.
  • Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

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Requirements

Hardiness 6 – 9
Heat Zones 5 – 9
Climate Zones 1A, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, A2, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Forsythia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid)
Height 8' – 10' (240cm – 3m)
Spread 10' – 12' (3m – 3.6m)
Spacing 120" – 144" (300cm – 360cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

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Guides with Forsythia


Kaskip, Vlad_art, Shutterstock, Botanik Foto

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 6 – 9
Heat Zones 5 – 9
Climate Zones 1A, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, A2, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Forsythia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid)
Height 8' – 10' (240cm – 3m)
Spread 10' – 12' (3m – 3.6m)
Spacing 120" – 144" (300cm – 360cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Clay Soil, Deer, Drought
Garden Uses Banks and Slopes, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

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