Forsythia planting and care in the open field pruning reproduction. Forsythia: varieties, cultivation and all the subtleties of caring for a luxurious golden shrub Forsythia transplant

Forsythia is an extremely unusual plant and belongs to an ancient genus, judging by the wide dispersion of its species diversity throughout the globe. Luxurious bright bushes of forsythia (forsythia) are actively grown in Europe, including in Russia. Today you will learn all about the intricacies of growing forsythia in the open field: plant description, planting and care (photo materials are attached).

Forsythia: description, types

Forsythia is a spectacular lush flowering plant, represented by a tall one, reaching a height of 2 m. In the spring, it stands out against the background of other plants that have not yet bloomed with its luxurious sunny yellow bell-shaped flowers, densely covering bare branches.

Forsythia is a long-flowering shrub that can sometimes reach 3 m in height (depending on the species). Its gray-brown branches can be drooping, hanging almost to the ground, or completely erect.

There are a considerable number of varieties of this plant, among which the following are especially popular:

• European. One of the most popular varieties. Represented by a compact bush with straight branches. It reaches a height of 2 m. The leaves are delicate, thin, elongated, reaching a length of 5-6 cm. The flowers grow singly, they are distinguished by a bright golden color.

• Giralda. In appearance, it slightly resembles the European variety, but is characterized by poor resistance to low temperatures. The bush grows quite high, reaching 2 m. The branches are strong, tetrahedral, densely dotted with graceful forms of intertwining yellow flowers.
• ovoid. The bush is sprawling, with straight light brown branches, on which single rather large flowers are located. The leaves on the branches are bright green, in the autumn they acquire an unusual purple hue. This species is extremely resistant to cold and is not at all afraid of drought. Ideal for growing in the suburbs.
• Hanging (drooping). Very lush bush, characterized by a spreading crown. The branches of the plant are drooping, arcuate in shape, stretching up to 3 m in height. The flowers grow in small inflorescences of pale yellow color.

• Greenest. An unusual plant, represented by a tall shrub with green branches, on which equally green bright oblong-lanceolate leaves grow. The flowers grow in small but dense green inflorescences with a slight green tint. The plant is very tender, needs a lot of heat. Drought tolerant, but afraid of cold. Suitable only for warm southern regions.
• Average (intermediate). A hybrid of the two previous varieties. The bush grows quite high (up to 3 m), covered with dense bright green foliage that does not change color until late autumn. Differs in the high speed of growth and blossoming, good resistance to a drought and a frost.

Features of cultivation in open ground in the Moscow region

Forsythia is incredibly popular with gardeners and landscapers around the world, not only for its exceptional aesthetic appearance, but also for its ease of cultivation. Further about all the subtleties of this process.

Site selection and landing in the ground

The place for planting the plant should be chosen very carefully, since forsythia does not like drafts, strong winds, and shade. This means that the landing site must be sunny, quiet, warm.

Equally carefully should be approached to the choice of the optimal soil for planting a plant. It must be necessarily light, nutritious and perfectly permeable to moisture. Ideal for growing forsythia is a mixture of leafy soil with sand and humus. All components are taken in equal proportions.

Advice. If the soil on the site for planting forsythia does not differ in the necessary qualities, it should be helped a little. So, slightly acidic or acidic soil must be limed with lime, ash or coal (charcoal) and dug up. If the soil is heavy, with poor aeration, we make a sand-peat mixture and add a little manure.

Before planting seedlings, it is necessary to prepare planting pits on the site with a size of 0.5x0.5x0.6 m. A strict distance of 1.5-2 m must be observed between the pits (keep in mind that the plant is very spreading and it needs a lot of free space).

So, first of all, we pour a drainage layer into the pit, consisting of crushed stone or broken brick (layer thickness is about 20 cm). From above we pour river sand of a large fraction with a layer 2 times less than drainage. After that, pour the previously prepared soil mixture. Now you can lower the seedling. Make sure that the root neck remains on the surface. Pour the rest of the soil mixture on top and be sure to water the young forsythia.

Subtleties of care

Forsythia care is quite simple, but should be carried out on a regular basis. The plant must be provided with moisture, fertilizing, and the soil must be loose. It is also necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the bush and, if necessary, carry out pruning.

Watering should not be frequent, but during the period of drought, at least once or twice a month, pamper forsythia bushes with water (1 bucket of water per 1 bush), and after watering, be sure to loosen the soil and, if desired, mulch it.

Advice. During the rainy season, plants should be refrained from watering: forsythia will be enough of the moisture that it receives from precipitation.

Feed the plant should be 3 times for the whole season. The first time fertilizers are applied in early spring. Spread the rotted manure around the trunk circle and carefully pour water (try not to hook the plant itself). Such top dressing will become a "catalyst" for active growth and lush flowering in the future.

By the middle of spring, you can apply a complex mineral fertilizer, and with the end of flowering, be sure to please the plant with a universal Kemira. This will help ensure timely laying of the kidneys for next year.

Pruning a plant is an important stage of care, on the correct implementation of which its viability and abundance of flowering will directly depend. It is advisable to prune forsythia in the autumn after flowering. All old branches should be cut, leaving only a small stump, while young ones should be cut only by a third. Don't forget to also regularly trim branches that reach the ground, as they tend to sprout.

Well, and finally a few words about the "wintering" of the plant. Of course, some varieties of forsythia are resistant to cold. Nevertheless, it is better to protect the plant from its effects by feeding the soil in the autumn with potassium-phosphorus fertilizer, and then mulching with a layer of soil containing sawdust. It is better to cover the bush itself with spruce branches, branches, etc.

That's all you need to know about forsythia in order to successfully grow it outdoors in the Moscow region. Good luck!

Features of growing forsythia: video

The genus Forsythia belongs to the Maslinov family and is predominantly shrubs.

The height of the species is mainly up to 3 m, the bark is brown-gray, textured, the foliage is simple, opposite, oblong, ovate, with teeth, from 2 to 15 cm. The flowers are saturated yellow in color, after flowering a flying box appears.

Forsythia species and varieties

Most often, it is grown in our gardens, which is a shrub up to 2 m high, foliage without teeth, its length is up to 7 cm, single flowers, bell-shaped, golden yellow.

This species looks very similar to the previous one, but its foliage is longer, and the color of the leaves is darker. It also tolerates frost less well, so it is not very suitable for growing in cold areas.

Or drooping this bush grows up to 3 m, its crown grows widely, the branches droop. It has rather large yellow flowers that form bunches. There is a variegated form, as well as a form with purple branches and leaves while young.

Or greenest this is a tall plant, the shoots of which grow up to 3 m. The foliage is placed densely, simple, oblong, rich dark green in color, rather long, the flowers also have a green tint. Tolerates drought well.

Or intermediate it is a hybrid species obtained by crossing Forsythia species drooping and dark green. The maximum height of this plant is close to 3.5 m, the foliage is oblong, with teeth, long, the color of the foliage is rich green. Flowering occurs by the 4th year after planting, the flowers form bunches of yellow color. It tolerates frost and heat well.

It has a lot of varieties due to its popularity:

• Goldzauber ,

• Malukh ,

• Linwood gold ,

• golden time ,

• Spectabilis .

Or snowy relatively low species with oblong ovoid foliage. In summer, the bottom of the foliage turns purple. The flowers are white, but have a yellow throat.

Or ovoid also a low view - 1.5-2 m. The bark on the branches is yellowish, and they themselves are quite sprawling. Foliage 6-8 cm, green in summer, and purple tones appear on it by autumn.

Forsythia planting and care in the open field

Today, forsythia is widely used to decorate city streets and own gardens, primarily due to the fact that in early spring, even before the leaves appear on the branches of the bush, yellow flowers bloom.

Forsythia should be planted in spring or early autumn, with the expectation that the bush has time to take root before frost, so be guided by the conditions of your place of residence. Light areas that are not blown by the winds are good for planting, partial shade is also suitable, but the sun is still preferable.

The composition of the soil is also not fundamental, the main thing is that the substrate is not too wet and has an alkaline reaction. If the earth in your garden is acidic, then it must be dug up with ashes to shift the reaction to alkaline.

The height and width of the planting hole should be approximately 0.5 m each, and the depth should be 60 cm. When planting several plants, make sure that there is at least 1.5 m between them. cm of sand, then put mixed leafy soil, sand and peat and a ratio of 2 to 1 and to 1. Fill the hole so that after planting the root system of the seedling is placed at a depth of 35 cm.

Lilac can also be used as a design design for a garden plot; it is easily grown when planting and caring in open ground. You can find recommendations for growing this plant in this article.

Watering forsythia

Caring for this garden plant is easy. If it rains from time to time in the summer, then it is not necessary to water the bush. If there is no precipitation, then every couple of weeks it is necessary to pour a bucket of water under each bush.

After rain or watering, loosen the soil and get rid of weeds. You can cover the area with compost mulch, and the problem of weeds and loosening will disappear.

Forsythia top dressing

Fertilizers are applied 3 times during the growing season. For the first time in spring, compost is scattered around the bushes, but so that it touches the shoots, and heavy watering is carried out. This fertilizer will serve as both a source of organic matter and mulch.

In the middle of spring, full mineral dressing is used, adding 65 grams per square meter. When flowering ends and flower buds begin to form, Kemira-universal is added at 110 grams per square meter of plot.

Forsythia pruning

While the bushes are young, only broken, frozen and dry branches are cut from them. In large bushes, sanitary pruning is carried out in the spring, and after flowering, the shoots are cut to half, while the old branches are cut off, leaving only 5 cm from the ground.

You can also carry out shaping pruning to give the bush the look you want. To rejuvenate the bush, it is necessary to cut off two-thirds of all branches - this will put into play the growth of young branches.

But we warn that it is often impossible to carry out this procedure, otherwise the bush will become large, but flowering will disappear. The approximate frequency of anti-aging pruning is 4 years.

Forsythia in winter

Preparing forsythia for winter, a thick ball of dry leaves is poured around the bushes, and the branches are bent to the ground and attached to it, and spruce branches are placed on top.

With the advent of spring, the shelter is removed so that the kidneys do not trample. In snowy winters, shelter may not be built.

Forsythia propagation by cuttings

Forsythia is best propagated vegetatively. For this, green cuttings 15 cm long, which are cut in early summer, are well suited. The lower foliage is cut off from them, and the cuttings themselves are treated with a tool to enhance root formation. Green cuttings are grown in greenhouse conditions in sand under diffused light, moistening the soil from time to time.

In autumn, woody cuttings can be rooted, while they are stuck right in the garden, so that there is a pair of buds above the ground. With the approach of cold weather, cover the cuttings with dry foliage, and in the spring they should begin to grow and by autumn it will be possible to transplant them to a permanent place.

Reproduction of forsythia by layering

You can also propagate this culture by layering. This is done according to the standard scheme - the young branch is tilted to the ground, slightly cutting its edge, and sprinkled with soil. Over time, roots will appear from the incision and next spring it will be possible to separate the layer from the parent and transplant.

This bush also reproduces by seeds, but this process is complex and accessible only to specialists.

Forsythia diseases

This culture does not get sick very often, but is still susceptible to some diseases and pests.

Fusarium wilt occurs due to fungal infection. The symptoms of this disease are foliage yellowing , weak flowering or his absence , the general weakness of the plant, on the shoots and leaves it can be seen that the vessels have turned black from the fungus. While the disease is not developed, it is necessary to carry out several sprays with a 5% solution of foundationazole.

With bacteriosis foliage becomes soft and blackens . It is impossible to save a shrub from this disease.

Moniliosis can be determined by brown spots on leaves . When a symptom appears, it is necessary to cut off all diseased parts, hitting healthy tissue.

Sometimes found downy mildew . Wherein leaves are deformed , on them a gray patch appears . The diseased parts must be cut off and treated with Bordeaux mixture. To protect the bush from this disease, it is necessary to apply phosphorus-potassium fertilizers in time.

It happens that forsythia not blooming . There may be a couple of reasons for this - too frequent rejuvenating pruning (note that if you rejuvenated, then next year there will be nowhere for flower buds to come from and there will also be no flowering), lack of nutrients, frosting of flower buds in winter.

Forsythia pests

Among pests nematodes appear most often and are probably the most dangerous. These little worms slow down plant growth , make roots thin and cause a general weakening of the bush , also the affected areas begin to turn yellow , but it is worth noting that most nematodes infect the roots, so it is the underground part that will turn yellow.

Nematodes do not tolerate dryness and high temperatures, but with a garden plant it is not possible to carry out the standard procedure for keeping the roots in warm water, as is done with indoor crops. Therefore, it remains only the introduction of poisons, for example, Nemaphos, Phosphamide.

Despite the fact that forsythia has become an adornment of many gardens, its name seems completely unfamiliar to many gardeners - and in vain. This shrub can rightfully be called special. If most other plants first turn green and then bloom, then forsythia reproduces all these stages in reverse order. That is why its flowering pleases gardeners the very first, falling in the middle of spring. The uniqueness of forsythia is combined with its extreme unpretentiousness - planting and caring for this shrub does not require a lot of time and in-depth knowledge from the gardener. We will talk about how to settle such an unusual “guest” on your site below.

At the moment, the classification of forsythia includes six main species and a great many varieties that it does not make sense to list within the framework of this article. In the table below, we will focus on the key characteristics of each species and their differences from each other.

Table 1. Types of forsythia

View	Description
	Forsythia of this species are distinguished by their two-color bright leaves - green in the middle and yellow at the edges. The sword-shaped leaves of the variegated forsythia are combined with characteristic notches. During flowering, the shrub is covered with rich yellow flowers.
	Forsythia Fortune has a tendency to change its shape over time. In the first couple of years, its branches are upright, but as it “grows up”, this shrub acquires curved shoots, which are a real hallmark of this species.
	Hybrid forsythia was bred as a result of many years of work of breeders, as a result of which it became even more hardy and resistant to frost compared to other species. Such forsythia grow up to three and a half meters and delight gardeners with an annual lush flowering. On shrubs, both simple oval leaves and trifoliate leaves can come across.
	This variety of forsythia overtakes all others in flowering speed. Unfortunately, it is not possible to admire beautiful flowers for long - after two and a half weeks they already fall off. However, even after flowering, the shrub retains its beautiful appearance due to yellow and rich purple leaves. The average height of the bush is two meters
	Adult forsythia during flowering resembles a beautiful crescent, thanks to two-meter branches dotted with bright lemon-colored bell-shaped flowers. The leaves of the plant have a pleasant pale green color. This type of forsythia is distinguished by its viability - with proper care, such a bush can stand for as long as seventy years.
	The name of this type of forsythia is directly related to the deep emerald shade of the foliage. Dark green forsythia blooms in bunches, in which three flowers are concentrated. Unlike other species, dark green fozition is more demanding on temperature conditions and takes root better in the southern regions of Russia with a mild climate.

In Russian conditions, gardeners prefer the following types:

• hanging;
• ovoid;
• hybrid.

Landing

Planting is the most crucial moment in growing a plant, since it is she who determines whether the seedling will take root in the soil or die. In order to increase the likelihood of successful adaptation of the shrub, the main factors should be taken into account in advance:

• recommended landing time;
• choosing a suitable place where the plant will be comfortable;
• soil preparation for planting;
• following the optimal landing pattern;
• preparation of soil and seedlings for subsequent wintering.

Landing dates

Forsythia can be planted both in spring and autumn. The main requirement for planting this shrub is the presence of sufficiently warmed earth. Accordingly, in the spring it is recommended to plant forsythia already when all the frosts are left behind, and in the fall - when the first frosts have not yet hit. It is important that the plant has time to adapt to the soil and take root, so that by the next growing season it is ready to start growing.

Location selection

When choosing a landing site forsythia, you need to be guided by three main criteria:

• illumination. Like most plants, forsythia love the sun, but when looking for a suitable site for planting seedlings, it is important to remember that this shrub needs a limited amount of "sunbathing". In this regard, forsythia are well suited for slightly shaded areas. At the same time, the lack of lighting can lead to less abundant flowering, which also will not please the gardener;

  

• soil type. Due to their unpretentiousness, forsythia are able to take root on a variety of soil types, however, they give their preference to dry soil variants with a slightly alkaline reaction (pH 6.0 or more);
• blowing. Forsythia flowers are fragile, and strong winds (even in warm seasons) can cause the shrub to gradually lose them. To avoid such an offensive result, refuse to plant the plant on hills.

  

Soil preparation

If the acidity indicators of the soil in your area are quite high, we recommend that you preliminarily carry out liming (deoxidation) of the soil.

The following options are used as products that reduce soil acidity:

• fluff;
• dolomite flour;
• wood ash.

When planting forsythia, experienced gardeners are advised to give preference to slaked lime (fluff) or wood ash, which can be poured directly into the planting pits. It takes about four hundred grams of fluff or two hundred grams of ash per hole.

Soil preparation

Of course, forsythia can take root in the most ordinary garden soil, but if you want to achieve stable lush flowering from a shrub, it is recommended to make a more nutritious soil mixture from the following ingredients:

• humus (one part);
• leaf ground (one part);
• river sand (two parts).

Landing pattern

The standard pit, which is dug out when planting a forsythia, has dimensions of 50x50x60 centimeters. Such parameters are just enough for the root system of the shrub to be at a depth of at least thirty centimeters, otherwise the plant may not take root.

If you plan to plant several shrubs at the same time, then you should observe a gap of one and a half to two meters between the planting pits in advance (a more accurate distance depends on the specific type of shrub). In the process of their growth, the forsythia begin to branch actively, and if they are literally pressed against each other, this will hinder their development and, moreover, will not look aesthetically pleasing.

Filling the planting hole

Before immersing the seedlings in the soil, it is necessary to create a multilayer nutrient substance consisting of several components:

• a drainage layer is poured to the very bottom, which helps to remove excess moisture from the soil. Crushed brick or crushed stone is used as drainage. The thickness of this layer is about fifteen centimeters;
• after drainage, a ten-centimeter layer of river sand is poured - it also helps to remove moisture, which makes it possible to make the soil for forsythia more comfortable and dry;
• then it's time for the nutrient mixture mentioned above - a combination of humus, sand and leafy earth is poured over the first two layers.

As soon as the planting hole is filled with all the indicated components, a young seedling is carefully placed in them and dug in from all sides so that the earth tightly clasps the plant. After fixing the seedling, its mandatory watering is carried out.

Mulching

The final stage of planting is mulching. It should be noted right away that the need for mulch arises only if you are planting shrubs in the fall. Mulch will help protect the soil from the oncoming cold weather, and thereby save the seedlings from freezing.

When choosing materials for mulching, give preference to those that allow air to pass through easily, otherwise, during periods of thaw, flower buds may begin to sprout from shrubs, which will negatively affect subsequent flowering.

As a mulch you can use:

• coniferous peat;
• wood materials (sawdust, bark, etc.);
• straw;
• mushroom compost (processed mushrooms have an alkaline reaction, which is exactly what forsythia requires, but it is important to dose the compost correctly).

Care

If you have previously taken care of other shrubs, then you will not have any special problems when growing forsythia. The mandatory list of "care procedures" includes such actions as:

• watering;
• loosening the soil around the bush;
• fertilizer;
• pruning.

Watering

The frequency of watering directly depends on what a particular summer turned out to be. If the summer season was accompanied by a large amount of precipitation, then forsythia can easily do without any watering and additional efforts on the part of the gardener.

If the summer promises to be hot and dry, then the forsythia will need to be watered, but not very often - no more than twice in a whole month. For one mature bush, on average, it takes twelve liters of water for one watering.

Soil loosening

Loosening is carried out without fail after each watering of the shrub. The purpose of loosening is to improve the air permeability of the soil and prevent liquid stagnation. In order for loosening to be effective, and the air to reach the roots, it must be carried out to a depth of twenty centimeters (that is, on a shovel bayonet). At the end of loosening, the trunk circle is covered with a layer of mulch in the form of compost or dry earth.

Fertilizer

Forsythia needs to be fed three times a year:

• first half of March. Early spring fertilizer involves the introduction of rotted manure into the trunk circle. It is important that the manure does not come into contact with (or even close to) the branches or trunk, as it can still cause damage to them. After applying organic fertilizer, the soil is thoroughly watered. The convenience of manure lies in the fact that it simultaneously performs the tasks of both mulch and top dressing;

  

• April. Closer to the middle of spring, the shrub will need mineral fertilizers. If desired, you can use ready-made complex fertilizers intended specifically for ornamental shrubs. For each square meter, an average of seventy grams of the product is taken;
• at the end of flowering. The end of flowering does not mean that the shrub has completely hibernated - on the contrary, the plant begins to lay buds for the next season, which takes a lot of resources from it. To give strength to forsythia will allow the universal fertilizer Kemira-station wagon. It can be used both dry and pre-diluted.

  

pruning

Forsythia pruning can be done both in spring and autumn. The main condition that makes pruning possible is the stoppage of sap flow, which can be observed both after flowering and before flowering, when the plant has not yet had time to wake up. Accordingly, shrub pruning can be planned for two dates:

• second half of March;
• first half of October.

Sometimes a gardener can afford summer pruning of a plant, but only as an exception if there are any good reasons (for example, the appearance of pests on one of the branches). However, it is important to remember that any "wounds" inflicted on the bush during the growing season will heal for a long time and reluctantly, making the plant more vulnerable to various diseases.

Cropping Features

Pruning forsythia can seem like a daunting task at first, especially for those gardeners who are inexperienced with shrubs. Whether it is sanitary or decorative pruning, this procedure has its key nuances:

• when pruning in autumn, be sure to take into account the temperature in the following days. If frost immediately sets in after pruning, then the cut points will not have time to drag on and some branches may dry out by the next season;

  

  

• forsythia are distinguished by the rapid growth of their shoots. In one season, such shrubs are able to completely self-renew. Therefore, if the forsythia is in a neglected state, you can without hesitation remove all branches at a level of ten centimeters above the soil. The shrub will quickly recover and you will be able to re-engage in its formation.

You can read about the methods of pruning various ornamental shrubs below.

Trimming options

Pruning methods are largely determined by the specific season, although there are emergency universal procedures that are given in any season (except winter).

Spring pruning does not involve active manipulations with a dormant plant and allows only a few spot corrections:

• removal of frozen branches by 50% of the total length. After hibernation, some branches can often become unusable near a shrub, if their number is small, it is not worth fearing for the safety of the plant;
• thinning is carried out in the spring in very rare cases - if branches are noticed that grow inward or seriously damaged branches that fade shortly after the onset of the growing season.

The main array of all actions takes place in the fall - at the moment when the forsythia fades and begins to prepare for hibernation. Autumn pruning largely determines what your bush will be like next season, so it should be treated with particular responsibility. Autumn pruning refers to a whole series of “rituals”:

Video - Pruning faded forsythia

Rejuvenation

The meaning of rejuvenation is such a shortening of the branches of the shrub, which stimulates the development of new shoots. If you want to update the forsythia branches, then you should cut them to a height of about five centimeters, while leaving only a third (or even less) of the previous length.

It is necessary to take into account the possible consequences of rejuvenation - due to the stimulation of the growth of shoots, the shrub begins to grow faster "in breadth". This leads to the fact that the plant spends most of its resources on the formation of branches, while it has almost nothing left for the formation of flowers. Therefore, gardeners who abuse rejuvenation may encounter a lack of summer flowering in the shrub.

To avoid such offensive consequences, it is recommended to resort to anti-aging pruning no more than once every three to four years. If during these years you continue to monitor the general condition of the forsythia, then it will not lose its external qualities and will still be pleasing to the eye.

Video - Features of growing forsythia

reproduction

Reproduction of forsythia is carried out by two main vegetative methods - cuttings and layering. Cuttings are considered the most popular and well-known way to most gardeners, but layering, as a rule, is less common.

cuttings

The most viable shoots for cuttings should be found in May or June, depending on when your forsythia blooms (which again depends on its species). When choosing a cutting, you need to keep in mind that young shoots root best, which should be paid attention to.

Sometimes gardeners also root lignified shoots, which allows them to bypass the stage with the container and the greenhouse effect, and immediately plant the cuttings in the ground in the second half of autumn. This method is simpler, but at the same time risky, and does not always give a positive result.

Reproduction of forsythia by cuttings: step by step instructions

Step 1. Carefully tear off the shoot with a piece of mature wood.

Step 2 Take loose, breathable soil and mix it with sand in equal proportions.

Step 3 Cut off all the lower leaves from the cutting to the level of deepening. Cut the largest leaves remaining on the cutting in half with scissors.

Step 4 Stick the cutting into a cup of soil, choosing a place near the edge. To prevent the handle from touching the container, step back half a millimeter. If desired, several cuttings can be placed in one container at once.

Step 5 To create a greenhouse effect, cover the container with a plastic cup, plastic bag, or bottle. So you get a homemade greenhouse, in which the cuttings can grow faster.

Step 6 Place the container in a dark room - in the garden or in the house, and wait for the first roots to appear. In order to notice the roots in time, it is most convenient to use transparent containers. If you have chosen an opaque container, then you can determine the readiness of the cuttings by the appearance of new shoots in them.

Forsythia is an ornamental shrub, a welcome guest of any flower garden . Early and abundant flowering made the culture popular. The material details howplanting forsythia and care in the open fieldbehind this plant. You will learn about how to deal with pests, methods of propagation and use in landscape design, and the most interesting types and varieties of forsythia from this article.

General description of the shrub

Forsythia (forsythia) is a genus of deciduous shrubs belonging to the olive family. The height of the bush is 1-3 m, sometimes - 6 m. With the arrival of spring heat, before the foliage appears, the sprawling and drooping branches of forsythia are densely covered with small four-lobed flowers of a rich yellow hue. In the middle lane, this happens at the end of April, in Siberia and the Urals - on the May holidays.

Flowering lasts up to 3 weeks, during this period plant gradually spreads the leaves. Their shape, depending on the variety, can be simple or trifoliate, the location on the stem is opposite, the length is 2-15 cm. This representative of the olive is considered quite ancient, the area of ​​natural growth captures East Asia and South-Eastern Europe. Forsythia owes its name to the Scottish botanist William Forsyth, it was he who first brought it from China to Europe.

Species and varieties

The genus Forsythia includes 13 species, but not all of them are used in horticulture and landscape design.

European (Forsythia europaea). A common species native to Albania. Grows up to 2 m tall. Differs in elongated entire leaves (up to 7 cm), flowers - golden yellow bells, arranged one at a time.

dangling(Forsythia suspensa). It is also called drooping (drooping) forsythia. It grows wild in the mountains of China. The shrub is distinguished by tetrahedral arched shoots of terracotta or olive color. The leaves on the old branches are simple, on the growth ones they are trifoliate. Flowers are golden-honey, up to 2.5 cm, collected in small bunches.

Several interesting forms of hanging forsythia are grown in gardens: deceptive, variegated, purple-stemmed, forsythia Fortune.

Green or dark green(Forsythia viridissima). Upright shrub up to 3 m tall. Dense branches are covered with oblong lanceolate leaves of rich green color. Petals are yellow with light green. The species is drought-resistant and thermophilic, suitable for cultivation in the southern regions.

intermediateand I (Forsythia intermediate). A hybrid obtained by crossing dark green and drooping forsythia. The bush grows up to 3 m. The leaves are green, oblong, retain their shade until the beginning of autumn. Small bright yellow flowers appear in late April. It is resistant to frost and drought.

ovoid(Forsythia ovata). Compact spreading shrub, not exceeding 1.5-2 m in height. It can be found wild in Korea. The stems are yellowish-gray, the leaves are oval, densely green, becoming dark purple closer to autumn. The flowers are bright yellow, solitary, with elongated petals.

Forsythia Siebold.Low growing shrub with dark yellow flowers. Differs in good frost resistance and unpretentiousness. Often used in urban landscaping, as well as in the design of slopes and borders, suitable for early forcing on bouquets.

Forsythia Giralda (Forsythia giraldiana). Similar to the European variety, but less resistant to low temperatures. It grows up to 2 m, has four-sided curved branches, the bark is colored in yellow-brown tones, the leaves are oval, dark green, twisted petals are light yellow.

For the European part of the Russian Federation, it is recommended to cultivate the following kinds forsythia: intermediate, hanging and ovoid. In the southern regions it is possible cultivation European and dark green. in Siberia and in the Urals should choose winter-hardy varieties ovoid and intermediate forsythia, others will not survive in such a harsh climate. Common varieties cultivated in Russia:

• Beatrix farrand;
• weekend;
• golden time;
• Fiesta;
• Variegata;
• Spectabilis;
• Densiflora;
• spring glory;
• tetragold;
• Goldzauber.

Along with the classic yellow forsythia, it looks no less impressive pink and white (snow).

Rules and methods of landing

To forsythia in the spring pleased the gardener with friendly and long flowering, it is necessary to choose the right time for planting and prepare a suitable place.

Site selection and soil preparation

Forsythia loves light, so a sunny, quiet place, protected from cold winds and drafts, is best for planting. Bush can be planted in partial shade, but in this case, flowering will not be so plentiful. Forsythia is not particularly demanding on the composition of the soil, but feels best in dry areas with a weak alkaline reaction. The substrate must be nutritious and permeable. If the soil has high acidity, wood ash, lime or chalk should be added to it. To improve air permeability, heavy soil is lightened by adding rotted manure, peat and river sand.

The ideal substrate for forsythia will be a composition of leafy soil, humus and sand, taken in equal proportions. It is in such an environment that the shrub will show itself in all its glory.

Optimal timing for disembarkation in different regions

Forsythia planting carried out in spring or autumn, before the first serious frosts, so that the plant has time to get used to the changed conditions. If the seedling has a closed root system, planting is also possible at the height of the summer season. Spring planting gives more guarantees that the plant will take root well and overwinter safely. If planted in autumn, September is the best time. Boarding deadline in the Moscow region - the end of October , in the Leningrad regionand more northern regions - 2-3 weeks earlier.

Step-by-step technology and seedling layout

For planting forsythia, pits are dug 60 cm deep and at least 50 cm in diameter. A drainage layer of about 20 cm is placed on the bottom. Broken red brick or crushed stone is suitable for this purpose. Sand is poured on top (10-12 cm), then fertile soil. An earthen ball is placed in the center of the hole, sprinkled with soil, lightly tamped and watered. In the case of autumn planting, a mandatory item is the mulching of the near-stem circle with peat, humus, and rotted foliage.

Given the rapid growth and size of the plant in adulthood, the distance between the bushes should be at least 1.5 m.

Features of planting seeds, cuttings and layering

reproduction forsythia occurs by seeds, rooting cuttings and layering. The generative (seed) method is used less often than others, since too much time will pass from the date of sowing to the first flowering. It is of interest to breeders who want to grow a new variety, andat home– only as an experiment.

Vegetative propagation of forsythia is practiced everywhere. To do this, in June, a healthy strong green shoot is chosen, cut off, leaving 15 cm from the top, the lower leaves are cut off and treated with a root growth stimulator. The most popular means are:

• "Kornevin";
• "Epin";
• "Heteroauxin".

In the absence of these drugs, you can use folk methods - hold the cuttings in water (1-2 hours) along with willow or willow branches or add a few drops of agave (aloe) juice there.

Processed cuttings put on rooting in a greenhouse. The best substrate is washed river sand or perlite. Rooting of lignified shoots is also possible. They are planted autumn directly into the ground, leaving 2-3 buds on the surface. For the winter, such seedlings require mandatory shelter from dry foliage or needles.

Reproduction by layering is also popular with gardeners and industrial farms. The method consists in bending the lower young shoot to the ground for rooting. In the summer or early autumn, the branch is pulled at the base with a wire, small cuts are made in the lower part, pressed, fixed and sprinkled with soil. New roots will appear very quickly at the place of the incisions, and already in the spring, the layers can be cut off from the mother plant and planted as an independent bush.

Care

Like planting, forsythia care causes no trouble. It is enough to fertilize on time, regularly loosen and weed the soil, water, treat from pests, cut.

Requirements for growing conditions

Watering forsythia should not be frequent; in dry times, one bucket under a bush is enough 2 times a month. After watering, the near-stem circle is loosened, weeds are removed, and mulched if desired. Fertilizers are applied three times a year. The first time forsythia is fed in early spring to stimulate growth and abundant flowering. To do this, the trunk circle is sprinkled with rotted manure and poured abundantly with warm settled water. In the middle of spring, complex mineral fertilizer is applied (60 g per 1 m²), and when the shrub fades, Kemira-Universal is used. This will ensure the laying of the kidneys for the next season.

Pest control: nematode and aphids

If you follow the rules of care , forsythia rarely suffers from diseases and pests. Common enemies of this shrub are nematodes and aphids. The nematode infects the roots of the plant, gradually making it weak and lifeless. To combat this pest, it is necessary to treat the soil with Carbation or another nematicide.

For prevention, marigolds or marigolds (calendula) can be planted next to forsythia bushes. The smell of these plants repels the nematode.

When forsythia is affected by an aphid colony, the leaves curl, the plant gradually weakens, which can lead to a number of serious diseases. For the struggle, folk and modern industrial means are used. It is better to give preference to the latter, since their effectiveness is much higher. More often than others, Aktara, Fitoverm and Decis are used. It is important to understand that these drugs are also poisonous to beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and bees.

Diseases and how to treat them

Forsythia is affected by such an infectious disease as bacteriosis. Symptoms: sharp yellowing of the foliage, wilting, dark veins on the cut of the shoots. There is no panacea for the disease, the bush will have to be dug up and burned, the earth will be shed with a solution of potassium permanganate. The culture is often oppressed by moniliosis (dark spots on the leaves). Infection comes from fruit trees. The affected branches are removed and disposed of; for prevention, the bush is sprayed with a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture. A disease such as wilting manifests itself in drooping individual branches in the midst of flowering. An effective drug to prevent the spread of wilting is Fundazol. The solution is treated with a trunk and shoots. For preventive purposes, Vectra is used at the rate of 2-3 ml per 1 liter of water.

Pruning: how to carry out, types, timing and techniques

Caring for shrubs such as forsythia , implies regular sanitary and shaping pruning. The procedure is carried out in the summer and autumn periods, when the bush fades. Old and damaged shoots are removed, leaving a small stump. Formative pruning carried out on 1/3 of the length of the shoot. Also remove the lower branches that lean towards the ground to prevent their germination. To maintain the spherical or cupped shape of the bush and for rejuvenation, the branches are pruned every 3-4 seasons. Pruning in the spring is advisable if there are frostbitten shoots.

The young growth is not pruned, as flower buds form on it for the next season.

Preparing for winter

Wintering forsythia in the garden in a temperate climate and northern regions is possible only in a reliable shelter. The trunk circle is covered with a layer of dry leaves or sawdust (at least 10 cm), the branches are bent to the ground, fixed and tightly covered with spruce branches or a special film. It is important that the covering material is breathable, otherwise, during the thaw period, overheating of the kidneys is possible, in this case forsythia will not bloom.

Use in design

Blooming forsythia in spring decorates parks and squares of many European countries. Yellow fluffy bushes can be found in London, Berlin, Paris. The shrub is used as a hedge, planted singly and in groups. Forsythia looks favorably in the background of mixborders, in company with coniferous trees. Forsythia planting and outdoor careeven a novice gardener can do it. Ease of cultivation and bright memorable coloring make the culture more popular every year.

Forsythia (Forsythia) is a genus of shrubs that belong to the Olive family. They bloom beautifully in early spring, and their yellow flowers captivate the eye of every person. The flower owes its name to the world-famous botanist William Forsyth, who was engaged in plant breeding and landscaping of Kensingen Palace. He first brought a shrub from China to a European country and created all the conditions for its natural growth and flowering. He became the first breeder who tried to create a unique species, as adapted as possible to the weather conditions of Europe.

Today, this shrub has become widespread in Russia, especially in the Moscow region. It is used in many household plots, as this type of plant does not require special care or any special gardening skills.

Features of forsythia - description of the plant

Many people refer to forsythia as a small tree, but in the biological reference book it is the plant is classified as a shrub. Its height can vary from 1 to 3 meters. The leaves on the shrub have a simple, oval shape with small serrated edges. Their length is from 2 to 15 centimeters. Forsythia bears bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers in early spring. Flowering lasts up to 3 weeks, and at the end a fruit-box with winged seeds appears.

Ideal conditions for growing forsythia

Despite the fact that the plant itself is unpretentious in care, does not require special knowledge and skills, gardeners made a number of recommendations, which will help in the quick and proper cultivation of forsythia:

How does forsythia reproduce?

Forsythia can reproduce in several ways: cuttings and seeds. Most often, gardeners resort to cuttings. To do this, use the lower branches of the plant, which are in contact with the ground, they are rooted. Very often there are cases when these branches take root on their own, which makes it possible to get a new plant.

In the case when the cutting method is chosen, it is necessary to cut off the lower branch and dig it in the open ground, covering it with earth by 10–15 centimeters. It is very important to cut the bark during planting so that the root system can freely form.

You can use the cutting method from mid-summer to October. In late autumn, a young plant requires special protection. For this it must be covered with foil and cover with dry foliage or straw on top.

Today, options for planting a finished plant seedling are available. It is rooted in the ground and must be protected from freezing in winter.

Forsythia planting rules

In order for the plant to quickly take root in the ground, for planting it, it is necessary to dig holes measuring 50x50x60 cm. This will allow you to deepen the horse system into the ground by 40 centimeters. Each subsequent bush of the plant should be located at a distance of at least 1.5 meters.

At the bottom of the hole for forsythia, it is necessary to lay a drainage of 10 centimeters. It can be broken brick, rubble. Further, a layer of sand of 10 centimeters is laid, then a substrate of sand, leafy soil and peat is laid. From above, the soil must be covered with wood ash.

A seedling is placed in the prepared hole and dug in with earth, rammed and watered abundantly.

Plants that are planted in the spring do not require special care, and those planted in the fall must undergo a site mulching procedure. The material that will be used for sheltering should be well breathable, this will allow you to avoid kidney debate during the winter thaws.

Basic rules for caring for forsythia

So that the shrub pleases with its flowering and beautiful forms, need to take good care of it.

• forsythia requires timely and proper feeding. April is the best month for fertilizing. As soon as he finished flowering, it is necessary to apply mineral fertilizer, it will help form new flower buds that will be needed next year;
• Forsythia care should include timely watering. Most often, the plant has enough water from natural precipitation, but on hot days it is necessary to provide additional watering at least once a month. A prerequisite for care is loosening the soil after each such watering. Loosening should occur to the depth of the shovel bayonet;
• basic care also involves pruning the plant. The main task of such an event will be thinning the crown of the plant, which will help stimulate the growth of new, young shoots. You need to cut off old, damaged branches by 2/3 of their length. It is better to start the work itself immediately after flowering before the appearance of new leaves on the shrub. In the case when the shrub has become very thick and wide, it is necessary to carry out corrective pruning.

In our climatic conditions, forsythia grows 5 different types. Each of these species has its own characteristics and external differences. Today, the following types of plants are distinguished:

• forsythia hanging or hybrid;
• plant ovoid or European;
• dark green forsythia.

Forsythia hanging down

This species is most often used by gardeners on their plots. Photos with this plant can be found in many. This shrub reaches 3 meters, while the branches are arched, drooping.

The stems are olive in color, pouring oval with toothed edges. During flowering, bright golden flowers bloom on the plant, the diameter of which is about 2 centimeters. All of them collected in inflorescences of 3-5 pieces.

Forsythia hybrid

This plant is the result of selectors' experiments. It tolerates frost and drought well, while the view of this shrub is luxurious. Its height reaches 3.5 meters, the shoots can be straight or inclined. During flowering, bright yellow inflorescences appear on the shrub. This species requires minimal care, which makes it the most sought after among gardeners.

Forsythia ovoid

In the photo, this type of shrub has an elegant shape. Its height varies within 2 meters, while the crown has widely scattered leaves and branches. During flowering, the entire bush is beautifully covered with bright yellow inflorescences. Once the flowering period is over, the shrub also looks amazing, as it develops beautiful, oval-shaped leaves.

This type of forsythia blooms the earliest and has an amazing view in autumn.

Forsythia european

This plant attracts gardeners with its shape, it always forms an amazing hemisphere with a large diameter. The flowers on it during flowering have a bright lemon color, and the leaves are pale yellow. A feature of this plant is durability: in one place the plant can grow up to 70 years.

Forsythia dark green

The name of the plant fully characterizes its appearance. The flowers on the plant have a beautiful light green color, and the leaves are dark green. This species is undemanding in care, is not afraid of drought, its planting is also easy. The plant can grow even in dry areas.

Diseases and pests that forsythia is afraid of

Basically, this plant is not afraid of diseases and pests. But sometimes you can meet a fungal disease such as Phomopsis. Small growths in the form of a wart appear on the plant. Such a disease cannot be cured, it is necessary to dig out the old forsythia and plant a new one in its place.

You can also notice leaves on the plant that are covered with small spots or specks - this is a sign of damage by the Altenaria or Phyllosticta fungus. You can fight this disease with the help of copper sulfate.

The fungi Lygus and Poeecilcapsus contribute to the formation of chestnut spots on leaves. To fight, you need to use an insecticide.

In the case when the plant began to fade, it can be treated with foundationazole or captan. You can also degrease the soil with carbation.

Very often, the cause of lethargy forsythia can be root rot. To avoid such a defeat, it is necessary to adjust the correct watering. Optimal care in this case is 15 liters of water every 3 weeks.

In the case when the root system is rotten, you do not need to immediately throw away the plant. It is enough to dig it out, cut off all the damaged areas and soak the root system in a disinfectant solution for half an hour. Planting this bush should be done in a new, prepared hole. Only in this case the process of cultivation and reproduction will be hassle-free.

What is the place of forsythia in landscape design

This plant is most often chosen for landscaping their summer cottages, garden allotments. Today, this plant is actively planted in city squares, parks, as it requires a minimum of care, but at the same time it has a luxurious appearance and is able to bloom remarkably. In addition to early flowering, this plant provides beautiful shade in summer and in winter has a great view. Many landscape designers plant forsythia with other similar plants, which forms a beautiful, vibrant corner of nature.

Also, today you can find bright compositions from various varieties of forsythia, which allows you to use the bright colors of nature and create unique corners of wildlife that will decorate and delight everyone. Forsythia - the reproduction of which can decorate any place, can be an excellent element of extravagant design.

Forsythia is hardy perennial plant that requires minimal maintenance. All you need is to buy a cutting, plant it correctly and take care of it throughout the year, and a beautiful green oasis on the site will be provided. Reproduction also does not require much effort. Such a plant is able to bloom magnificently.