Forsythia
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Forsythia is both the common name and botanical name of a plant genus belonging to the Oleaceae (Olive family). It is named after William Forsyth, and comprises six species of deciduous shrubs to 3-6 m tall, mostly native to Asia, but one native to southeastern Europe.
The leaves are opposite, usually simple but sometimes trifoliate with a basal pair of small leaflets, and range from 4-12 cm long; the margin is serrated. The flowers are produced in the early spring before the leaves, bright yellow with four petals. The fruit is a dry capsule, containing several winged seeds.
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The species are:
- Forsythia europaea, from the Balkans
- Forsythia giraldiana, from northwest China
- Forsythia japonica from Japan
- Forsythia ovata, from Korea
- Forsythia suspensa, from China
- Forsythia viridissima, from China
The hybrids Forsythia x intermedia (F. suspensa x F. viridissima) and Forsythia x variabilis (F. ovata x F. suspensa) have been produced in cultivation.
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Cultivation and uses
Forsythias are popular early spring flowering shrubs in gardens and parks. Two are commonly cultivated for ornament, Forsythia x intermedia and Forsythia suspensa. They are both spring flowering shrubs, with yellow flowers. They are grown and prized for being tough, reliable garden plants. Forsythia x intermedia is the more commonly grown, is smaller, has an upright habit, and produces strongly coloured flowers. Forsythia suspensa is a large to very large shrub, can be grown as a weeping shrub on banks, and has paler flowers. Many named garden cultivars can also be found.
Commercial propagation is usually by cuttings, taken from green wood after flowering in late spring to early summer; alternatively, cuttings may be taken between November and February. Best results are usually had from dipping the cuttings in hormone rooting powder before inserting into pots of moist compost. The potted cuttings should then be sealed inside plastic bags to prevent moisture loss.
External links
- BBC - summer cuttings (http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/propagation_takesummercuttings.shtml)
- BBC - Forsythia page (http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/3306.shtml)
- Royal Horticultural Society (http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/gardens/wisley/archive/wisleypom03mar.asp)
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