Showy Forsythia

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Clade: Tracheophytes
• Clade: Angiosperms
• Clade: Eudicots
• Clade: Asterids
• Order: Lamiales
• Family: Oleaceae
• Genus: Forsythia
• Species: Forsythia × intermedia

Common Names by Region

• United States: Showy Forsythia, Border Forsythia
• United Kingdom: Golden Bell
• Germany: Goldglöckchen
• France: Forsythie intermédiaire
• China: 连翘属杂交种 (liánqiào shǔ zájiāo zhǒng)

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Description

• Growth Habit: Deciduous shrub with an arching, upright growth pattern.
• Size: Typically grows 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) in height and spread.
• Leaves: Opposite, lanceolate to ovate, serrated margins, green turning yellow to purple in fall.
• Flowers: Bright yellow, four-petaled, tubular flowers that bloom in early spring before leaves emerge.

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Known Range

• Native Range: Hybrid origin, primarily derived from Forsythia suspensa and Forsythia viridissima.
• Cultivated Range: Widely cultivated in temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia.

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Care Requirements

• Light: Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade.
• Watering: Moderate water needs; drought-tolerant once established.
• Soil: Well-draining, moderately fertile soil; adaptable to a range of soil types.
• Humidity: Tolerant of average humidity conditions.
• Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 5-8.
• Propagation: Easily propagated via softwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter.
• Common Pests/Diseases: Susceptible to leaf spot, fungal infections, and gall formations. Generally pest-resistant.

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Additional Notes

• Special Features: One of the earliest blooming shrubs, providing vibrant color after winter dormancy.
• Maintenance Level: Low; benefits from periodic pruning after flowering to maintain shape and vigor.