A to Z Challenge: “F”orsythia

O forsythia, forsythia, wherefore art thou Forsythia? (I don’t know why but this plant’s name just seems to lend itself to Shakespeare!)

Why are all the springtime blooms bright and cheery? I’d like to believe it’s to remind us that winter is on its way out, and that summer is coming! I talked about the daffodil in all its glory! Another bright yellow flowering shrub to quickly shake off the winter chill is the forsythia plant. Its slightly bell-shaped blooms can range from buttery yellow to warm gold. Did you know it’s part of the olive family? I had no idea. They were named after English horticulturist William Forsyth (1737-1804).

Forsythia plants enjoy full sun (maybe that’s where they get their color?) They also like lots of water so if it doesn’t rain frequently, it may be necessary to water them, and they prefer well-draining soil. And, they need to be pruned right after they’ve finished blooming, to preserve their graceful vase shape and avoid the plant’s unrestricted growth. The medium-to-dark green, coarsely-toothed foliage receives a purple tint in the fall, adding to its beauty before winter comes.

The forsythia’s graceful, arching branches make a wonderful hedge around a garden or yard, or bring out definition in a concrete wall or wooden fence. They do well in USDA zones 4-9. They also discourage deer, so you can have beauty and protection from wild garden munchers.

My husband and I have a rose garden and when I called our local garden center, Apple House, to see when it was safe to uncover them for spring, they advised us, “When you see the forsythia bloom, it’s time.” Super glad that forsythia knows what it’s doing!