Forsythia Korean planting and care in the open field

Forsythia (Forsythia) or forsythia is a plant in the form of shrubs or small trees. It is a member of the Olive family. The main feature of forsythia is considered to be its early flowering, the bush is covered with bright yellow flowers in early spring, long before its first leaves appear.

This genus is one of the most ancient on earth. First of all, this is proved by a very wide natural habitat. Six types of forsythia originate from East Asian countries such as Japan, China and the Republic of Korea. Only one species grows in Europe Forsythia europaea or translated from Latin European forsythia. Most often it can be found in the Balkan Peninsula and in Germany.

The plant got its name thanks to the Scottish botanist William Forsyth. He is one of the founders of the Royal Horticultural Society, and is also known for being the main gardener of Kensington Palace for a long time. It was William who introduced forsythia to Europe, borrowing it from the wild flora of China.

Description

Forsythia grows in the form of small trees or bushes. She can reach from one to three meters in height... The trunk of this plant is covered with rough gray-brown bark. Most species have simple opposite leaves without stipules. They are oval in shape with jagged edges, can be from two to fifteen centimeters in length. On the shoots they are arranged crosswise - in pairs, two at each node. Some species boast trifoliate leaves, their plate is divided into three parts: two lateral and one central.

The forsythia bloom period begins in early spring and lasts on average up to three weeks, but sometimes it can last longer. The inflorescences are bright yellow in color, consist of flowers that resemble bells in their shape. In their place, the fruits of the plant are formed - boxes filled with winged seeds.

Forsythia begins to bloom long before the first foliage appears, then the flowers are replaced by green leaves, which acquire a purple hue closer to autumn.

Types and varieties

Forsythia - spring messenger, with its aroma and bright, sunny bloom, it decorates gray streets and reminds people of the imminent arrival of heat. To date, within the framework of botany, seven main species of this beautiful flowering plant have been recorded:

• Forsythia europaea or European forsythia.
• Forsythia ovata or ovoid forsythia.
• Forsythia x intermedia or intermediate forsythia.
• Forsythia hanging, drooping or drooping - Forsythia suspensa.
• Forsythia abeliophyllum - Snow or white forsythia.
• Forsythia viridissima or dark green forsythia.
• Forsythia giraldiana or forsythia giralda.

Let's take a closer look at the most popular ones.

> European forsythia

This species is considered the most common in Russia.Such popularity is due to the unpretentiousness of the plant and its frost resistance - it is able to develop well and bloom even in climatic conditions of middle latitude and Siberia.

Forsythia European looks like a short one upright shrub... She can only grow up to two meters in height. She has oblong, whole-edged (without denticles and grooves) leaves up to seven centimeters in length. The flowers grow singly, their shape is similar to bells and are colored yellow with a golden tint.

Forsythia ovoid

Ovate forsythia is a small shrub that grows from one and a half to two meters in height... They have spreading branches covered with gray bark with a yellowish tinge. The leaves can be up to seven centimeters long. In summer, they are painted in bright green, and closer to autumn they acquire a purple hue.

Bright yellow inflorescences consist of single, medium-sized flowers with a diameter of up to two centimeters. The flowering period of this species begins earlier than that of other forsythia.

Plants tolerate winter cold, dry periods well and grow quite quickly. The most popular varieties related to this species:

• Tetragold - shrub rarely exceeding one meter in height. The flowering period begins in mid-April. The inflorescences consist of single dark yellow flowers with a diameter of up to three centimeters.
• Goldsauber - is considered a very valuable variety. It is very popular among gardeners due to its large yellow flowers with a golden hue and frost resistance. The flowering period begins in April and lasts about three weeks.
• Spring Glory - shrub up to three meters in height. In summer, the crown has a rich green color. Closer to autumn, it acquires an additional shade from pale yellow to dark purple, which is why it becomes quite variegated. The bloom is very abundant, the flowers are large, painted in a bright yellow color.

> Intermediate forsythia

Intermediate forsythia is a hybrid created by crossing dark green and drooping forsythia. It grows up to three meters in height and begins to bloom only in the fourth year after planting.

She has oblong leaves, up to ten centimeters in length... They are most often toothed, but plants with trifoliate foliage can be found. The crown is painted in a dark green color, which does not change until late autumn. Bright yellow flowers form inflorescences of several pieces. The flowering period runs from April to May. The species is very winter-hardy, drought-resistant, grows quickly and well. Varieties:

• Spectabilis - is considered a very beautiful variety. The bushes are low, only a meter high. The main feature is the crown of this species. It is very thick and lush, can reach one hundred and twenty centimeters in diameter. In summer, the foliage is colored green, in autumn it turns purple or bright yellow.
• Denziflora —Small bush, can reach one and a half meters in height or less. The volume of the crown is usually equal to the height of the plant. The flowers are twisted, have a pale yellow color. It begins to bloom in March, the inflorescences last for about two to three weeks. This variety is afraid of frost.
• Beatrix Farrand - bushes up to four meters high. The flowers are bright yellow with dark yellow stripes at the base.

Planting forsythia

The early onset of the flowering period favorably distinguishes forsythia against the background of other shrubs. Unpretentiousness to the location and care only add to its popularity among flower growers. Noting some of the features that should be considered when growing this wonderful flowering bush:

• This plant is very light-requiring, but grows well even in the shade.
• Forsythia prefers calcareous soils.
• Closer to autumn, the green crown of the bush acquires a golden or purple-violet hue, which again attracts the attention of all passers-by.
• Experienced gardeners prefer to place forsythia against the background of dark green conifers, since in such a place it looks most impressive.

When to plant forsythia

Transplanting and planting forsythia should be done in the spring or early fall, before the onset of frost, so that it can take root even before winter. The most suitable place for this plant, with good lighting and partial shade, well protected from wind and drafts. Of course, forsythia feel good even in the shade, but nevertheless, it is better to choose bright places for heat-loving bushes.

The composition of the soil for the plant does not really matter, but it takes root and develops best in slightly alkaline dry soils. If your site has rather acidic soil, dig up the ground beforehand diluting it with wood ash.

How to plant forsythia correctly

Let's start planting forsythia:

1. After you have chosen a place for forsythia on your site, it is time to prepare the planting pits. The optimal size is 50 to 50 to 60, in such cases the earthen lump will be at a depth of thirty to forty centimeters, as required.
2. If you decide to plant several bushes in close proximity to each other, then the distance between the holes should be not less than thirty to forty centimeters.
3. Prepare nutrient soil. To do this, mix one kilogram of leafy soil, five hundred grams of sand, half a kilogram of peat and two hundred grams of wood ash.
4. Fill the planting hole with a good layer of drainage material. For these purposes, expanded clay, broken brick or crushed stone are most often used. The thickness of the drainage layer should be fifteen to twenty centimeters.
5. Fill the drain with sand. The sand layer should be ten centimeters thick.
6. Cover the sand with nutritious soil.
7. Place the seedlings in the planting holes, sprinkle with soil and compact wellto give the plant stability and avoid gaps between the roots.
8. Sprinkle the seedlings liberally after planting.

If you planted bushes in the spring, then they will need regular care. Forsythia, planted in autumn, requires more attention. Without fail, the root square will need to be mimicked, regardless of whether the plant belongs to a particular species. For the winter, the seedlings should be covered with a special material. It must be breathable so that the flower buds do not get blocked in the event of winter thaws.

> Care for forsythia

Caring for forsythia in the open field is not much different from caring for any garden shrub. If there is sufficient precipitation in the summer, the plant does not need additional watering. But if it turns out to be arid, you will have to spill forsythia about one or two times a month, ten to twelve liters for each bush.

After every rain and watering it is necessary to loosen the soil and remove weeds in an earthen square of forsythia. In order for the root system to be able to saturate with oxygen, loosening should be carried out to the depth of the shovel bayonet. After this procedure, mulch the soil, this can be done with compost or dry soil.

Plant feeding

Fertilize forsythia three times in one season, starting in early spring. To do this, in the near-trunk circle, not close to the bush, a thick layer of rotted manure is laid out, then it is plentifully spilled with water. With this method of feeding, manure is for forsythia and organic fertilizer and mulch.

In April, mineral fertilizers are applied at the rate of sixty to seventy grams per square meter. After the end of the flowering period, when the plant begins to lay fresh flower buds for the next year, it should be fertilized with kemira - wagon in the calculation of one hundred to one hundred twenty grams per square meter.

Pruning

Young plants only need sanitary pruning. To do this, cut off all dry, broken and frozen shoots. In adult bushes, with the arrival of spring, the frozen ends of the branches should be removed.The main pruning is done in the summer, after the end of the flowering period. During it, all faded shoots are shortened in half, and old and dry ones are cut, which will lead to the formation of fresh shoots.

With the help of pruning, you can adjust the density and height of the crown, as well as the shape of the shrub. It can be spherical or cupped. If you wish to rejuvenate an adult plant, then cut all branches by four to six centimeters. This procedure activates the growth of fresh young shoots.

Keep in mind - you should not abuse such haircuts, this can lead to the fact that forsythia begins to actively grow, but it will stop blooming altogether. Anti-aging pruning should be done no more than once every three to four years, otherwise she can lose all her decorative qualities.

Pests and diseases

With good care, forsythia is resistant to various diseases and pests, but at times it can be affected by moniliosis, wilting and bacteriosis. Moniliosis can be recognized by the appearance of brown spots on the foliage. To save the plant you will need remove all affected tissue... Withering can be cured by spraying a solution of foundationol, but you cannot get rid of bacteriosis, so you have to dig out the bush along with the entire root system and burn it so that the disease does not spread to other plants.

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The genus of not very large trees and shrubs forsythia (Forsythia), or forsythia, is a representative of the olive family. They bloom in early spring with flowers of a rich yellow color. This genus is considered very ancient, which explains its widespread occurrence. So, in East Asia, you can see 6 different species of this plant at once (in Korea, Japan and China). And in European countries, you can meet only one species - European forsythia (Forsythia europaea), most of the plants are found in the Balkans. This plant was named after the Scotsman W. Forsyth, who was a botanist, chief gardener of Kensington Palace, and also one of the founders of the Royal Horticultural Society. For the first time, this plant got from China to European countries thanks to Forsyth.

Features of forsythia

Forsythia is not a very large tree or shrub, the height of which can vary from 1 to 3 m. The brownish-gray bark has a rough texture. In certain species, the leaf plates are trifoliated. However, most often they are oval, simple, oppositely located, do not have stipules, with a serrated edge, in length they can reach 2-15 centimeters. The rich yellow flowers are bell-shaped. Forsythia blooms at the beginning of the spring period, while the flowering duration is 20 days (in some cases longer). The fruit is a capsule with winged seeds.

Features of growing forsythia

Today, in European countries, most squares, private gardens and city streets are decorated with forsythia. It is considered a symbol of the arrival of spring. Imagine early spring, when everything is still gray and nondescript on the streets, and suddenly your gaze catches the forsythia blazing with its bright flowers. A distinctive feature of this shrub is its very early flowering. Also, this plant has won great love among gardeners due to the fact that it does not impose special requirements on growing conditions and care. The main features of cultivation:

• such a plant grows best in a well-lit area, but it can also be grown in shade;
• suitable soil must be limed;
• it is recommended to plant next to conifers of a dark green color.

In autumn, the green foliage changes its color to violet-purple or golden, which makes the plant highly decorative again.

Planting forsythia in open ground

What time to plant

Forsythia can be planted or transplanted in spring or early autumn, before the frost begins, because the plant must take root well before the frost begins. This plant grows well in the shade, but it prefers a sunny area, which must be protected from gusts of wind. The quality of the soil is not important for this plant, but it feels best in dry, slightly alkaline soil. In the event that the land on the site is acidic, then it is recommended to bring wood ash into it for digging.

Landing features

The planting pit should have a size of 50x50x60 centimeters, while the root system of the planted plant should be at a depth of 0.3 to 0.4 m.When several specimens are planted at once, a distance of at least 150 centimeters should be maintained between them. At the bottom of the prepared planting pit, a drainage layer of crushed stone and broken brick should be laid, the thickness of which should be from 15 to 20 centimeters. From above it is covered with a layer of sand, the thickness of which should be 10 centimeters. After that, a soil mixture is poured into the pit, consisting of sand, leafy earth and peat, taken in a ratio of 1: 2: 1, to which 0.2 kg of wood ash must be added. Then the seedling must be placed in a prepared hole, which is filled with soil and well compacted. The planted forsythia must be watered abundantly. When planting in spring, the seedling will need to be looked after as an adult plant. If the planting was carried out in the fall, then no matter what kind of plant was planted, it will be necessary to cover the near-trunk circle with a layer of mulch. For the winter, the plant must be covered. In this case, the covering material should only be used that allows air to pass through so that the flower buds do not begin to rot during small thaws in winter.

Care features

It is necessary to care for forsythia in the same way as for other shrubs grown in the garden. If it rains regularly in summer, then you will not have to water this plant. This should be done only with prolonged drought 1 or 2 times in 4 weeks, while 10 to 12 liters of water are taken for 1 bush. After the plant is watered, weed and loosen the soil to the depth of the shovel bayonet, this is the only way to ensure normal air access to the root system. When loosening is finished, sprinkle the trunk circle with a layer of mulch (dry soil or compost).

Forsythia should be fed 3 times during the season. For the first time, you need to feed the plant at the beginning of the spring period. To do this, a sufficiently thick layer of manure (necessarily rotted) is laid out on the surface of the trunk circle, make sure that it does not touch the branches or the trunk. Then it is watered with plenty of water. Manure will become not only organic fertilizer for the plant, but also mulch. Complete mineral fertilizer (per 1 square meter from 60 to 70 grams) should be applied to the soil in April. When the plant blooms and begins laying flower buds for next year, you will need to feed it with Kemira-universal (for 1 square meter from 100 to 120 grams).

Reproduction of forsythia

For reproduction, vegetative methods are most often chosen. For example, cuttings. Harvesting green cuttings should be carried out in June, while their length should be approximately 15 centimeters. At the cutting, it is necessary to cut off the leaf plates located below, then it must be treated with a drug that stimulates the growth of roots (Epin, Kornevin or Heteroauxin). It is planted in a greenhouse, using sand or perlite. Lignified cuttings, which are harvested in October, are also suitable for reproduction, for rooting they are planted directly in open soil, while 2 or 3 buds should remain above its surface. Do not forget to cover the cuttings with fallen leaves for the winter.In the springtime, it is necessary to remove the shelter, after which the cuttings will begin to grow actively, and in the fall they will already become full-fledged seedlings. For reproduction, you can use layering. In order to get them, you need to choose a stem growing very close to the surface of the site in summer or autumn. At the base, it is pulled over with wire, and an incision should be made in the bark on the surface that faces the ground. The stem is fixed on the soil surface and covered with nutritious soil. Layers take root in a relatively short period of time. In springtime, it is necessary to separate the cuttings from the parent plant, and after only 12 months it will begin to bloom.

It is possible to grow forsythia from seeds, but only specialists resort to this method of reproduction.

Pruning forsythia

Young bushes need only sanitary pruning, during which all dried, injured, and frost-damaged stems are removed. If the forsythia is adult, then in spring only the frozen tips of the branches are cut off from it. The main haircut is done in the summer, when the bush has faded. Those branches that have faded should be cut off by ½ part, while dried and old ones should be cut at a height of 40 to 60 mm from the soil surface, in this case young side shoots will go from them. With the help of pruning, you can control the height, density and shape of the crown, which can be spherical or cupped. In the event that an old bush needs rejuvenating pruning, then all its branches must be cut to a height of 4 to 6 centimeters or shortened by 2/3, thanks to this, young shoots will begin to actively grow. However, very often it is impossible to carry out anti-aging pruning, because from this forsythia it grows very much, but the flowering stops completely. As a rule, a rejuvenating haircut is recommended once every 3 or 4 years.

Diseases and pests

This plant is highly resistant to diseases and pests. In rare cases, the bush can be affected by moniliosis, wilting or bacteriosis. A bush infected with wilting should be treated with a solution of foundationol (2–5%). If forsythia is struck by bacteriosis, then in this case it will have to be dug up and burned. If brown spots have formed on the surface of the leaf plates, this means that the plant is sick with moniliosis. In this case, it is recommended that all affected parts of the plant be cut out and thoroughly cleaned to healthy tissue. Also, the bush can suffer from nematodes, in this case, the soil is disinfected with Carbation.

Forsythia after flowering

To prevent forsythia from freezing in winter, it should be covered. To do this, sprinkle the trunk circle with fallen leaves, while the layer thickness should be 10 centimeters. The branches are bent to the soil and fixed in this position, then the bush is covered with spruce branches. At the very beginning of the spring period, the shelter must be removed, and the branches must be freed, while the fallen leaves must be removed from the trunk. If the bushes are still young, then they are covered with spruce branches for the winter. If a lot of snow falls in winter, then forsythia can do without shelter, but no one can accurately predict the forecast for the whole winter.

Types and varieties of forsythia with photos and names

Forsythia European (Forsythia europaea)

This species is most popular with gardeners living in mid-latitudes. In height, such an upright shrub can reach 200 centimeters. All-edge sheet plates have an oblong shape and a length of about 7 centimeters. The color of bell-shaped single flowers is yellow-golden.

Forsythia giraldiana

This species is very similar to European forsythia, but it is less frost-resistant. In height, the bush can also reach 200 centimeters. Almost all shoots are straight, but they are colored brownish-yellow and are tetrahedral.Dark green elliptical leaf plates reach 10 centimeters in length. Blooming is observed in May. Graceful large pale yellow flowers have twisted petals.

Forsythia hanging, or drooping, or drooping (Forsythia suspensa)

This shrub with a spreading crown can reach a height of 300 centimeters. Thin tetrahedral arcuate drooping branches have an olive or brown-red color. On old stems, leaf plates are simple, while on growth ones they are trifoliate. Large (diameter about 25 mm) yellow-golden flowers are collected in several pieces in bunches. Several forms are cultivated:

1. Variegated (forsythia variegata). The color of the flowers is rich yellow. The leaf plates are pale yellow, variegated.
2. Fortune (forsythia fortunei). The flowers are dark yellow in bunches. Narrow leaf plates are trifoliate.
3. Purple stem (forsythia artocaulis). The stems are dark red. At the moment of opening, the leaf plates are painted in the same color.
4. Other forms: forsythia of Zimbold, forsythia deceiving, forsythia hanging from Fortune.

Forsythia dark green (Forsythia viridissima)

The height of the shrub does not exceed 300 centimeters. Its green branches are directed upwards. Densely growing simple leaf plates have a lanceolate-oblong shape, their upper part is serrated. They are colored dark green, 15 centimeters long and 4 centimeters wide. Small bunches consist of flowers, which are painted in a rich yellow-green color. Differs in drought resistance.

Intermediate forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia)

This hybrid was created by crossing dark green forsythia and drooping forsythia. It can reach a height of 300 centimeters. The bush begins to bloom only after he turns 4 years old. Leaf plates, as a rule, are oblong with a serrated edge, but trifoliate are also found, they reach 10 centimeters in length. They are dark green in color, while their color remains unchanged until late autumn. The color of the flowers is rich yellow, they are collected in bunches of several pieces. Bloom is observed in April and May. This shrub is fast growing and resistant to frost and drought. Varieties:

1. Beatrix Farrand... The shrub reaches a height of 400 centimeters. The rich yellow flowers have a strip of dark yellow color at the base.
2. Denziflora... The height and diameter of the bush are equal to 150 centimeters. The twisted flowers are light yellow. Flowering is observed in May, and it lasts 15–20 days. Does not tolerate frost.
3. Spectabilis... This variety is one of the most beautiful. The height of the bush is about 100 centimeters, and its diameter is 120 centimeters. In the warm season, the leaf plates have a green color, which in autumn changes to rich yellow and purple. The diameter of the dark yellow flowers is about 45 mm, flowering begins in the last days of April.

Forsythia snow, or white (Forsythia abeliophyllum)

The height of the bush can vary from 150 to 200 centimeters. The length of the oval leaf plates is about 8 centimeters, their seamy surface turns purple in the summer. The flowers are white and have a yellow throat. The color of the buds is light pink.

Forsythia ovoid (Forsythia ovata)

The height of the bush can vary from 150 to 200 centimeters. The spreading branches are yellow-gray in color. The length of the leaf plates is about 7 centimeters; in summer they are painted in a deep green color, which changes to purple in autumn. The diameter of single flowers is about 20 mm, their color is rich yellow. This species begins to bloom earlier than others. It is fast growing and resistant to frost and drought. The most popular varieties are:

1. Spring Glory... The height of the bush is about 300 centimeters. Leaf plates are green in summer, and in autumn they become variegated (from dark purple to light yellow).Lush bloom is observed in May. Large flowers have a rich yellow color.
2. Tetragold... The height of the shrub is about 100 centimeters. The diameter of the dark yellow flowers is about 30 mm. Flowering begins in the second half of April.
3. Goldsauber... This variety is very valuable and popular. Large flowers are yellow-golden in color. Resistant to frost. Flowering begins in the second half of April and lasts approximately 20 days.

Blooming forsythia, strewn with hundreds of bright yellow flowers, is impossible to miss! If the summer resident wants to be decorated with forsythia every spring, planting and care in the open field are key stages on the path to success.

Perennial shrubs, one of the first to break the monochrome of early spring, came to Europe from Asia and were named after the botanist who brought the first seedlings to the Old World. Today forsythia is the most popular type for landscaping and creating hedges.

How and when to organize planting and caring for forsythia in the open field at their summer cottage? What does a shrub need for friendly growth?

Conditions for planting forsythia in the open field

Forsythia is an amazing plant that changes its appearance every season. In the spring, these are branches devoid of leaves, but densely strewn with flowers. In summer, the bush is covered with greenery, which changes color to golden or purple in autumn. When looking for a place for forsythia, you should pay attention to areas where the shrub will be clearly visible and illuminated.

Although forsythia tolerate being in the shade, in the sun the bush forms more dense and even. The plant is undemanding to soil fertility, but it develops better on soil with an alkaline reaction, good drainage. Culture:

• undemanding to care;
• has excellent frost resistance, simplifying the wintering of forsythia in the open field;
• tolerates drought well;
• responds well to haircuts and can be used for growing hedges.

There are two options for planting forsythia in the ground: in spring and in autumn. In the first case, young shrubs after acclimatization immediately begin to grow, giving new shoots. Bushes transferred to the garden in autumn only take root, and begin to grow after wintering.

Timing of planting forsythia in the ground

The time for transferring seedlings to the garden is chosen depending on the region and the quality of the planting material. Many nurseries today offer young plants with a closed root system. Seedlings grown in containers are transplanted together with an earthen clod, so the roots do not suffer, the bush easily and quickly adapts to a new place of residence. And the summer resident is guaranteed easy care for forsythia in the open field after planting, whenever it happens: in spring, summer or autumn.

For seedlings with an open root system, it is better to plant in the spring months, when the threat of sudden frosts goes away, or in the fall, about a month before the onset of seasonal cold weather. During this period of time, the shrub will acclimatize and be able to prepare for winter.

Since the climatic conditions in the regions of the country are seriously different, there is a significant difference in the timing of planting and caring for forsythia in the open field, in the Moscow region and, for example, in central and northern Siberia, where the heat comes later, and the summer is much shorter:

1. If you delay planting plants in the garden, their adaptation and rooting will be delayed, and the shoots that have dedicated over the summer will not have time to get stronger before the onset of frost.
2. Early spring planting threatens with the danger of freezing of the buds, tops of the shoots, and with severe frosts on the soil, damage to the points of growth and roots.

In autumn, planting forsythia in the ground also depends on weather and climatic conditions and can vary even within the same region, for example, as large as the Urals. If in the south gardeners live according to a calendar similar to that used by summer residents of the middle lane, then in the north the weather is much more severe and changeable.

Planting forsythia in open ground

Forsythia prefer dry, drained soil and do not tolerate stagnant moisture in the soil. Therefore, at the bottom of the planting pits 60 cm deep and 50 cm wide, powerful drainage is made from broken brick, expanded clay or gravel. It is especially important not to neglect this measure in areas with dense soil that retains water and where groundwater is too close. An example is planting and caring for forsythia in the Leningrad region.

A layer of sand and a prepared soil mixture based on:

• 2 pieces of leafy land;
• 1 part peat;
• 1 part sand.

For each hole, 200 grams of sifted wood ash is mixed into the ground. The substrate is poured with a mound, on the sides of which the roots of the bush are spread. After filling the hole, the soil is compacted and watered abundantly at the rate of 10-15 liters per plant. In the fall, after planting forsythia, caring for the shrub consists in dense mulching of the trunk circle. This will help conserve water in the soil and protect the roots from hypothermia.

Mulch will help in spring, especially where summer comes quickly and the soil dries quickly, covered with a dense, impenetrable crust.

Caring for forsythia after planting in the open field

An important advantage of forsythia is its simplicity and the absence of any special care. In the warm season, shrubs that grow rapidly with minimal care need:

• in irrigation, if there is no natural precipitation, and the soil under the plants is completely dry;
• in maintaining the cleanliness and looseness of the trunk circles;
• in a triple feeding;
• in a haircut that helps maintain the health and shape of the crown.

In hot dry times, the plants are watered abundantly once or twice a month, the field of which is loosened, weeded and mulched. Lowland peat mixed with humus and wood ash can be used as mulch. This composition protects the roots from overheating and is an excellent long-acting fertilizer. In addition, shrubs respond well to full fertilization before and after flowering.

In the second half of summer, you should not fertilize shrubs with nitrogen. It will cause active growth of young shoots, which, even with proper planting and caring for forsythia in the Urals, Siberia and in the middle lane, will not have time to ripen and will die with the onset of frost.

An important part of caring for forsythia is pruning the shrub. For sanitary purposes, the removal of dead, old or damaged branches is carried out in the spring, and a haircut to maintain shape - in early summer, when the mass flowering ends. Until recently, shoots yellow from flowers can be shortened by half the length, and old branches are cut above the ground so that several buds remain at the base.

Once every 3-4 years, forsythia is rejuvenated by evenly cutting all shoots by half or two-thirds of the length. Over the summer, the plant will restore the crown, which will be dense, uniform and young, so that next spring it will please with a friendly bright flowering.

In most regions, the plant winters excellently without shelter. If the winters have little snow, before wintering, forsythia in the open field is gently tilted to the ground, fixed and covered with spruce branches or dense non-woven material. At the first opportunity, the bushes are covered with snow.

Reproduction of forsythia in the open field

The remaining parts of the branches after pruning are an excellent material for obtaining cuttings that will serve for the propagation of forsythia. The green shoots are cut into pieces 10-15 cm long so that each one has several healthy buds. The lower leaves are cut off, and the resulting stalk, after treatment with a rooting stimulant, is planted in a greenhouse.

In the fall, another method for breeding forsythia in the open field is possible. Lignified cuttings are planted in a school organized in a quiet place protected from wind and flooding.For the time remaining before the cold weather, the seedling will give roots, and 2-3 buds left above the surface of the soil will wake up in the spring and form a young crown of a dwarf shrub. In the coming fall, such plants can be planted in a permanent place.

Planting forsythia in a permanent place - video

An ancient species of shrubs of the olive family, it blooms beautifully in early spring. Due to its decorativeness and unpretentiousness, it is widespread. Forsythia is not whimsical to care for, and planting it in open ground is very simple.

Description of forsythia

A brightly flowering shrub in early spring immediately attracts attention. Against the background of nature that has not yet awakened, the delicate golden bell-shaped flowers of forsythia remind of the arrival of spring.

The country of origin of the plant is China. Various species have a wide geography of distribution in the Balkan Peninsula, Japan and Korea. You can grow shrubs in the Leningrad region, Moscow and even Siberia. But in the latter case, they will need careful shelter for the winter.

Forsythia or European forsythia grows in height by 1-3m. In width, the shrub grows up to 2 m. After lush flowering, oval-shaped leaves bloom from 4 to 13 cm in length. Forsythia is cold-resistant, resistant to pest infestation and is easily cultivated in the middle lane.

Forsythia shrub flowers close up

Most popular varieties

Among the wide variety of varieties and types of shrubs, the following are most common:

• Greening. Distributed on mountain slopes in China. The plant is distinguished by its large size and erect branches. It has large dark green leaves. The size of yellow-green flowers is up to 3 cm.
• Hanging. The place of growth is the northern and central region of China. Cultivated in the Crimea, Moldova and the Caucasus. Hanging forsythia grows up to 3 m. The greenery of the foliage is colored yellow in summer, and in shades of purple in autumn. Flowers of golden color have orange corollas. It is considered the most beautiful species.
• Giralda. It is of North Chinese origin. Outwardly, the plant is similar to the European one. During the period of abundant flowering, the Giralda is covered with small yellow flowers that hide the shoots. The leaves are oval, dark green with a gloss above and pale below. It is winter hardy.
• Ovate. It grows in Korea, where the shrub grows 1.5 m. The flowers have elongated bright yellow petals. Leaves with a glossy dark green color have an oval shape and grow up to 7 cm. Cultivated in the Non-Black Earth Zone.
• Intermediate - it is a hybrid derived from a dangling and verdant species. The shrub has a decorative appearance due to slightly hanging branches. Blooms in early summer. During this period, the bush is completely covered with golden yellow flowers. After flowering, leaves bloom, retaining their green color until autumn. The hybrid has several forms. All are cold-resistant and suitable for growing in the Non-Black Earth Region.
• Goldsauber. Popular view. It is valued for its large yellow inflorescences. The flowering period is from the middle of April. Flowering lasts about 3 weeks.

Landing rules shrub in open ground

Forsythia has good survival rate and growth. The best time for planting is spring or autumn, while there is still no frost. When decorating a garden plot, the shrub is assigned a place in the garden, along the fence or path.

A place for planting shrubs is chosen sunny or with a slight partial shade. Lack of light and heat negatively affects the plant and may not bloom. Dry soil is suitable for planting, because the plant does not require moisture. Sufficient for the growth of rain and melt water.

Duration of flowering forsythia is from 20 to 25 days.

How to plant a shrub?

The bushes are planted in prepared pits 50x50 cm and a depth of 60 cm.The pits are filled with drainage from broken brick or crushed stone with a layer of 20 cm.Then a 10 cm layer of sand is poured and a nutrient mixture of sand, peat, leaf earth in a ratio of 1: 1: 2 with the addition of ash (200 g).

When planting, you need to deepen the root by 30-40 cm. Sprinkle the seedling, compact and water the soil.

When planting several bushes in a group, the pits are located at a distance of about 1.5 m from each other.

In the case of a spring planting of a bush, it does not require special care. For autumn planting, mulching with "breathing" material will be required so that the buds do not disappear during thaws.

Freshly planted forsythia cuttings

Care rules after landing

The shrub is unpretentious to care for and not picky about watering. You need to water the plant only in drought 1-2 times a month, at the rate of a bucket of water per 1 bush. Moistened soil should be loosened and weeds removed. To ensure the flow of air to the root system, loosening is carried out on the bayonet of the shovel. The adjacent area is mulched with compost.

The plant needs feeding three times a season. At the beginning of spring, along the contour of the near-trunk circle, rotted manure in a thick layer and watered with water. In April, the soil is fertilized with mineral fertilizers, applying 70 g per 1 m2.

At the end of flowering, the laying of flower buds begins. During this period, forsythia also needs feeding. Use the drug Kemira-universal at the rate of 100 g per 1 m2.

Young plants do not require pruning, only in the spring they remove the frozen areas.

An adult plant is pruned in the summer after flowering. Dry and old branches are cut at a height of 5 cm above the ground. Faded branches are cut in half. By pruning, they give the shrub a decorative shape. Once every 4 years, rejuvenation is carried out, cutting the bush by 2/3. Pruning stimulates flowering and prevents the shrub from stretching.

Unusually beautiful forsythia bush near the house

Propagation by cuttings

The most common way of reproduction is vegetative. Cuttings are done in June. Twigs of 15 cm are cut and the lower leaves are removed. Treat with a stimulant. For planting, perlite or sand is prepared and planted in a greenhouse. Sometimes cuttings harvested in October are rooted. They are planted in the garden, buried in the ground to the second or third bud. Buried twigs for the winter are covered with fallen leaves. With the arrival of spring, the cuttings will begin to grow, and in the fall there will be seedlings.

Forsythia takes root well by layering. In summer or early autumn, young branches bend to the ground.

At the base, the twig is pulled together with wire. An incision is made in the area of ​​the bark that touches the ground. The shoot is fixed to the ground and covered with soil. After a short time, rooting will occur. In the spring, they are cut off from the bush and planted. Flowering occurs in a year.

Green forsythia cuttings ready for transplant

Sowing seeds in autumn

The seeds are harvested in the fall after ripening. In the last decade of March, they are placed in containers with soil, watered and covered with foil. Seedlings will be after 4-5 weeks. When the seedlings grow 5 cm, they are planted in a greenhouse or in open ground.

Young forsythia bushes with flowers

When sowing with seeds, flowering will be for 5 years.

Diseases and problems of growing

The plant is resistant to disease. However, wilting, moniliosis and bacteriosis are sometimes observed. For the treatment of wilting, spraying with 5% foundation is used. Unfortunately, bacteriosis cannot be cured. The bush will have to be destroyed.

Moniliosis disease manifests itself as brownish spots on the foliage. The fight is carried out by cutting out the lesions.

Forsythia is affected by a nematode. To eliminate the disease, the soil is treated with carbation.

Application in landscape gardening

Forsythia bushes are decorative and are planted in large alpine hills, hedges and individual plantings. When planted with muscari, it creates an attractive yellow-blue bloom. It goes well with conifers. Planting single shrubs against a background of blue and green spruce and juniper gives a beautiful composition.

With a slight investment of time, you can grow decorative forsythia on your site, which is within the power of novice growers.