Content
Medium forsythia decorates the gardens and squares of European cities. Its rapid flowering indicates the arrival of spring. The shrub blooms earlier than other plants. Forsythia has been in culture for a long time. The first specimens were brought to Europe from China by the Scotsman Forsyth, a botanist and head gardener at Kensington Palace.
The shrub's winter hardiness allows it to be grown in Russian winter conditions. This decorative crop is very popular in the Moscow region.
Description of forsythia middle
Forsythia medium (intermediate) is a form obtained by hybridization. In their work, German breeders used genetic material from 2 types of forsythia:
- drooping;
- dark green.
The form has been adapted in regions with temperate climates. It is distinguished from other varieties of forsythia by its frost and drought resistance. The intermediate (medium) variety of forsythia appeared at the end of the 19th century. Now gardeners are offered many varieties of ornamental shrubs of this species.
The bell-shaped flowers of middle forsythia are clearly visible in the photo. They have 4 brightly colored petals.The color of the few-flowered inflorescences varies, a delicate lemon-yellow color in some varieties, dark orange in others. Most varieties of medium forsythia bloom on annual shoots.
The height of deciduous shrubs depends on the variety (2-3 m). The crown shape is spreading. It is formed by shoots of 2 types:
- erect;
- arcuate (drooping).
The branches are covered with light golden-yellow bark, with young shoots having a greenish tint. The shrub becomes covered with foliage immediately after flowering, which occurs in the spring months (April, May). It lasts about 20 days.
In summer, large (5-12 cm) leaves are painted in a rich green color; in autumn, the spreading crown of shrubs pleases the eye with a bright crimson, yellow, and purple color. The shape of the leaves is simple, lanceolate-ovate, the edge is serrated-toothed.
Medium forsythia in landscape design
The shrub is planted in a prominent place in the garden. When planted correctly, an ornamental plant becomes the highlight of the garden. In spring, blooming forsythia is very impressive against the background of coniferous trees. In autumn, shrubs do not lose their decorative appearance; they attract the eye with crimson, yellow or purple foliage.
In country houses, single bushes of medium forsythia are planted next to the porch or garden gate. In group plantings it is combined with conifers, perennials, roses, and lilacs.
Medium forsythia bushes tolerate pruning well, so they are used to create hedges.
Beautiful flowering shrub planted in city parks and squares. It looks good on the banks of ponds.
Medium forsythia varieties
Because of its abundant flowering, forsythia is called “golden lilac” or “golden rain”.Several types of ornamental shrubs are common in Russia:
- ovoid;
- hanging;
- European;
- average.
Varieties of the latter variety are more adapted to cold climates, the most famous:
- Minigold − Little gold;
- Beatrix Farrand;
- Goldrausch.
Medium forsythia variety Maree d`or courtasol is especially popular among gardeners. This is a dwarf shrub with creeping shoots; it is used to decorate gentle slopes and form picturesque hedges.
Forsythia medium Minigold
This is the smallest variety of medium forsythia. The height of adult Minigold bushes does not exceed 1-1.5 m. Most often, the length of the shoots is only 0.6-0.8 m. The crown is compact, dense, and up to 1.5 m in diameter.
Plant of medium vigor. During the season, the growth of branches is no more than 10 cm. The branches are brittle and erect. The leaves are dark green with light veins, simple. The shape is ovoid or ovate-lanceolate. In autumn they change color, becoming yellowish-green with red-burgundy splashes.
Forsythia Minigold is a winter-hardy plant. Flowering period is April-May. The flowers are small, numerous, and appear before the buds open. Flowering lasts from 20 to 25 days. The shrub can grow in any garden soil. Does not like the soil to dry out. The bushes require pruning for abundant flowering.
Forsythia medium Beatrix Farrand
Deciduous shrub with a height of 3 to 4 m. The annual growth of shoots is 30-40 cm. The diameter of the crown of an adult plant is about 3 m. The density of the crown is average. During the growing season, the branches are covered with oval-pointed, finely toothed leaves. Summer foliage color is light green, autumn foliage color is bronze or yellow-green.
Leaves appear after flowering.It occurs in April, May, in warm regions - at the end of March. Bushes are very decorative in spring. The shoots are strewn with large, bright, canary yellow flowers. Orange stripes are visible at the base of the petals.
The bush loves:
- moist, drained soil;
- good lighting;
- warm, no drafts.
In winter, without shelter it can freeze. Before the onset of frost, the branches are bent to the ground. To protect against low temperatures, sprinkle with dry leaves and spruce branches. Forsythia tolerates pruning well. For regular, abundant flowering, annually shorten all faded shoots by ½ length.
Forsythia middle Goldrouch
Spectacular bushes of forsythia middle Goldrush grow up to 2.5 m in height. Erect, spreading branches form an obovate-shaped crown with a diameter of up to 2 m. Individual shoots are drooping.
The flowers are bright, yellow, 2-3 cm in diameter, collected in large inflorescences up to 6 cm in size. Abundant flowering occurs in the spring months (April, May). It lasts about 2 weeks. At its end, the branches are covered with dark green leaves of a simple oval-lanceolate shape. The length of the leaf plate is 8 cm.
The shrub grows well in urban conditions. Its winter hardiness is average. In especially harsh winters, flower buds and shoots located above the snow level freeze slightly. So that you can admire the wonderful blooms every spring, it is recommended to plant forsythia middle Goldrush in places protected from the cold north wind.
This variety is unpretentious.The ornamental shrub can grow on loose, permeable loams, tolerates shade and partial shade, is responsive to organic and mineral fertilizers, and tolerates pruning well.
Planting and caring for yellow medium forsythia
Yellow forsythia is propagated by cuttings, layering, and seeds. A 1-2 year old seedling in a container can be bought at a gardening store. Plants with a closed root system can be planted in the garden at any time (spring, summer, autumn).
When planting, take into account the dimensions of the future bush: height, crown diameter. The area should be illuminated by the sun for 6 hours, forsythia tolerates shade, but the bush loses its decorative appearance if there is a lack of light.
The composition of the soil does not play a big role, but if the pH is < 5.5, it is worth adding ash to it when digging. The seedlings are planted in holes measuring 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.6 m. The root after planting should be at a depth of 30-40 cm. Drainage 10 cm thick (crushed stone, broken brick) is poured onto the bottom.
To fill, prepare a mixture, take:
- sand (1 part);
- leaf soil (2 parts);
- peat (1 part);
- ash (200 g).
When planting several shrubs, holes are dug at a distance of 1.5-2 m. The seedlings are watered. When planting in autumn, prepare for winter:
- mulch the tree trunk circle with bark, peat, leaves;
- shoots are bent to the ground and pinned;
- at sub-zero temperatures cover with lutrasil.
Care comes down to watering, fertilizing, pruning. Water only when the top layer of soil (5 cm) has dried out. Fertilizing is carried out with mineral fertilizers in the spring before flowering and with Kemira Universal after the shrub has finished blooming.
Forsythia responds well to organic matter (humus, compost), and is used as mulch. The tree trunk circle is filled in in spring or autumn.For the first 2 years after planting, only sanitary pruning is carried out. Damaged shoots are cut out.
Starting from the 3rd year, they work with the crown in the summer:
- shorten faded shoots by ½;
- old branches are cut at a height of 5-6 cm from the ground; young shoots will then grow from them.
Anti-aging pruning is carried out approximately once every 4 years. It is aimed at activating the growth of young shoots and preserving decorativeness. The branches of old bushes are shortened by ⅔ of the length. Depending on the style of the garden, the forsythia crown can be shaped into a cube, ball, or bowl.
Plants may suffer from infection and pest infestation. To prevent fungal diseases and wilt, bushes are sprayed with fungicides. In case of bacteriosis, the diseased plant is uprooted and the ground is treated with a solution of potassium permanganate.
In summer, plant leaves can suffer from nematodes. Then the top layer of soil around the bush is removed. The soil is treated with Carbation solution. When infested by aphids, the leaves are sprayed with a soap solution.
Wintering forsythia in the Moscow region
Forsythia medium Minigold can survive wintering in the Moscow region without shelter. But experienced gardeners advise insulating bushes, especially young ones. Just before the frost, the plants are watered, fallen leaves are removed, the soil is loosened and sprinkled with a layer of peat.
The shoots are carefully bent to the ground and secured with vines (staples). The bushes are covered with spruce branches and straw from above, and covered with purchased covering material. In winter, snow is shoveled onto the bushes. If the snow blows away in winter, they build a shelter from wooden shields or install arcs, and stretch 2-3 layers of lutrasil.
Conclusion
Medium forsythia blooms profusely in Russian gardens if the bushes are covered for the winter. Despite the winter hardiness, the threat of flower buds freezing exists.It is worth spending a little time preparing for winter so that in the spring the shrub will decorate the garden with abundant flowering.
In the video, a garden expert clearly explains how to properly care for a beautifully flowering plant in the middle zone:
