Description of the types and varieties of forsythia ovoid, planting and care rules

Forsythia is a low-growing ornamental shrub. Gardeners value it for its abundant early flowering, as a result of which the branches are covered with golden buds. The most winter-hardy species is the ovoid forsythia. The shrub is widespread in warm regions - on the Korean Peninsula, the Balkans. In temperate climates, it is successfully cultivated, withstanding even frosty winters.

Description of forsythia

The shrub grows in height from 1 m to 3 m, in width - up to 2 m. Its stems are thin, straight, and have a drooping appearance. The bark is gray, rough, finely pointed dark green oval leaves with marginal teeth. The length of the leaf blades closely spaced from each other is from 2 to 15 cm. Flowering of the shrub begins in March-May. Buds appear on last year's shoots. After blooming, they have the shape of golden bells with long petals. Ripe winged seeds fly out of the capsules.

Unlike ovoid forsythia, variegated forsythia has more decorative foliage rather than flowers. It changes its hue from greenish to golden throughout the season.

Types and varieties

There are several varieties and types of forsythia, differing in the appearance of flowers and leaves, winter hardiness, timing and duration of flowering, and other characteristics.

Forsythia europaea

The shrub is most common in Europe, winter-hardy, height up to 2 meters. Erect branches are covered with leaves 7 cm long with smooth edges. Yellow flowers, appearing in May, are collected in groups of several pieces and look like bells.

Forsythia drooping

A powerful shrub has a height of up to 3 m. Its habitat is northern China. In Europe, it is able to take root in the southern regions - in the Crimea, in the Caucasus. The foliage is very decorative - its color changes from dark green in spring to purple in autumn. The tubular-shaped flowers are collected in bunches and have a noticeable orange stripe inside, their length is about 3 cm.

The most popular varieties of drooping forsythia are Purplestem, Zimbolda, Variegated, Fortune.

Forsythia intermedia

Low-growing garden shrub. Its branches are initially straight, but later bend towards the ground under the weight of the flowers. The leaf blades are oval-lanceolate with denticles along the edges.

Flowering begins in April and lasts about 3 weeks. The inflorescences consist of several buds that form near the leaf buds. The most popular varieties of intermediate forsythia are Lindwood, Wonderful, Gustotsvetnaya, and Fiesta.

Forsythia ovate

The natural habitat of forsythia ovate is Korea. Today the species is widespread throughout central Russia, since it is one of the most winter-hardy. Its flowering occurs earlier than other plants and lasts 2-2.5 weeks.

The shape of the ornamental shrub is spreading, its diameter reaches 2 m. Leaves appear after flowering. They are long, bright green, with sharp ends, wide in diameter. The most famous varieties of ovoid forsythia are Weekend Sapphire, Parkdecor, and Goldzauber.

Forsythia dark green

The plant has elastic branches 3 m long, located vertically, their bark is green. Lanceolate leaves of emerald color are often located along the entire length of the shoots. They are distinguished by a smooth and glossy surface.

Flowering of dark green forsythia begins with the appearance of buds collected in small groups. After opening, their color turns out to be green-yellow.

The foliage of the shrub is so dense that it is used for hedges. Planting in the Moscow region is not recommended, since the shrub is heat-loving and there is a high probability of freezing in harsh winters.

Forsythia snowy

Abeliophillum, or snow forsythia, is on the verge of extinction.The species is unique because it is the only one that has not yellow, but white flowers with a pinkish tint, collected in racemes. The flowering period is characterized by an abundance of fragrant buds.

The height of the ornamental shrub is 2 m. The leaves are dark green, oval, pubescent. Their color changes to purple in summer.

Forsythia Giralda

China is considered the birthplace of Giralda forsythia. Its appearance resembles that of Europe. The leaves are shaped like oblong ellipses with sharp ends, green above, pale below. Small golden flowers completely cover the shoots of the bush.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of forsythia ovate include:

• good survival rate after transplantation;
• ease of care;
• resistance to major diseases and pests;
• easy tolerability of pruning.

Among the disadvantages of the bush:

• short flowering period;
• the need for shelter for the winter due to the plant’s poor frost resistance;
• It takes several years for a new plant to bloom.

Features of growing shrubs

Today, forsythia ovate is grown in parks and squares, gardens of private houses. The reason for its popularity was its early flowering, undemanding conditions of growth and care.

When and where to plant

Planting of forsythia ovata is carried out in spring or autumn before the onset of frost, so that the plants have time to take root and do not die in winter.

An area protected from northern winds is suitable for planting. Forsythia easily tolerates shade, but grows better in a sunny area. The ornamental shrub prefers alkaline soil without stagnant water. Wood ash is added to acidic soil during digging.

Preparation of planting material

Seedlings obtained as a result of cuttings are ready for planting only after the formation of the root system.

The purchased planting material of forsythia ovata should be carefully examined. Plants must be intact, roots strong and developed. The age of the planted plant is no more than 2 years. Before planting, dry shoots are cut off from the seedling, and the root system is soaked for several hours in a solution of a growth stimulator.

Landing technology

To plant ovoid forsythia, follow the algorithm:

• prepare pits 50 cm x 50 cm x 60 cm;
• maintain a distance of 150 cm between neighboring plants;
• make a drainage layer 15 cm thick;
• pour 10 cm of sand onto the drainage;
• place a soil mixture of peat, compost and sand on top in a ratio of 1:2:1;
• plant a seedling in the center of the hole;
• fill the voids with soil;
• compact;
• water generously.

Plant care tips

When caring for shrubs, it is necessary to carry out a number of activities:

• timely watering;
• sanitary pruning;
• plant nutrition;
• loosening and mulching the soil.

How to fertilize correctly

Fertilizing forsythia ovate is carried out three times per season:

• in early spring - completely rotted manure;
• in mid-spring - complex mineral fertilizers (65 g per 1 sq. m);
• at the end of flowering - with universal fertilizer (100 g per 1 sq. m).

After applying the fertilizer, the plant is watered abundantly.

Watering rules

Watering forsythia ovata is carried out in the same way as other shrubs. During regular rainfall, artificial sprinkling is avoided. During drought, water three times a month, using 10 liters of water per plant at a time.

After watering, the soil is loosened, freed from weeds and mulched with peat, compost, and dry leaves.

Transfer

To replant an adult forsythia ovatifolia plant, you should wait until autumn, carefully dig up the bush and plant it in a prepared hole according to all the rules. With the arrival of frost, the plant is securely covered with foliage, spruce branches, and non-woven material.

Trimming

Thanks to timely pruning, forsythia ovate develops proportionally, looks decorative, and blooms profusely. The first pruning is carried out no earlier than the third year of the plant’s life. In spring, cut off the ends of frozen shoots. In the summer, at the end of flowering, all branches are shortened and unnecessary ones that thicken the bush are cut out.

Every three years, the bush is cut to the base or to 2/3 of its length. The plant is rejuvenated, its growth is activated.

Wintering

Forsythia ovate is a winter-hardy species, but when planting or replanting a young plant in the fall, it is worth reliably protecting it from the upcoming cold weather. To do this, cover the tree trunk circle with mulch, carefully bend the branches and insulate the top with spruce branches. Later the plants are covered with snow. In early spring, the cover is removed and the mulch is removed from the trunk to prevent the bark from becoming warm.

Features of care after flowering

As soon as the forsythia has faded, a number of activities are carried out:

• cut out branches growing inside the bush;
• remove young shoots coming from the roots;
• fertilize in the form of Kemira fertilizer.

Diseases and pests

Forsythia ovoid is resistant to diseases and pests, but with excessive watering and improper care, disease damage is possible:

• wilting - spraying with the systemic drug “Vectra” is used for treatment;
• bacteriosis - dig up the bush and dispose of it;
• moniliosis - cut out all sore spots.

Infection of a plant with a nematode leads to rotting of the roots.

Spraying with Carbation disinfects the soil and destroys the nematode.

Reproduction methods

Forsythia ovate can be propagated in several ways:

• seed;
• using cuttings;
• layering.

Seeds

The method is used if it is necessary to grow a large number of seedlings. To do this, perform a number of actions:

1. In October, ripe seeds are collected.
2. They are stratified for 2 months at a temperature of +5 ⁰C.
3. In March they are sown in boxes under glass.
4. A year later, they are planted in open ground for growing.
5. In the third year, the seedlings are transferred to a permanent place.

By layering

The method is one of the simplest for obtaining a new plant. For this purpose, at any time (spring, summer or autumn) a ditch is dug near the mother bush, the most flexible shoot is tilted and covered with earth. First, the foliage is removed from it and small cuts are made for better rooting. The shoot is pinned to the damp ground with a dry branch or wire. After a year, the finished seedling is separated from the mother plant and replanted. Forsythia obtained from cuttings blooms after a year.

Cuttings

Propagation using green cuttings involves the use of one-year-old shoots, which are harvested after forsythia blooms. They are cut 20 cm long from woody branches. Without removing the leaves, the cuttings are planted in moist soil at an angle, deepening no more than 5 cm. The cuttings are covered with film on top and the microclimate is maintained in the shelter for a month, after which roots appear. The plants are transferred to a permanent location and grown throughout the year.

Use in landscape design

The shrub is highly decorative, so forsythia ovate is used in gardens as individual plantings and in group compositions.

Beautiful dense foliage makes it possible to make hedges from plants, as they tolerate pruning well.

In early spring, the bushes look especially bright against the background of coniferous plants, especially since during this period other shrubs do not yet bloom.