Forsythia × intermedia
Forsythia · Showy Forsythia · Forsythia x intermedia · Forsythia intermedia
Description
Source: leafsnapForsythia × intermedia, or border forsythia, is an ornamental deciduous shrub of garden origin.
🌳 Border forsythia has a notable environmental role as a bioindicator of soil contamination. Scientists have observed that its growth patterns and overall condition can indicate the presence of particular heavy metals and other pollutants in soil, offering a natural and economical means to monitor environmental health and inform remediation efforts.
Care Guide
💧 Water
Border forsythia does best in well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established. It needs to be watered every two weeks. During the cold months, it goes dormant, reducing its water requirements as it gets ready for spring blooms.
☀️ Light Full sun
Border forsythia strongly prefers locations with abundant sunlight but can tolerate areas with moderate sun exposure. Native to sun-rich environments, it grows well in the presence of sunlight. Both insufficient and excessive light can hinder its healthy growth, causing wilting in low light and scorch from too much sun.
🌡️ Temperature 5–35°C
Border forsythia is a plant suited to moderately warm habitats, prospering in temperatures from 41 to 95 °F (5 to 35 °C). During hotter periods, giving it some shade can help border forsythia stay within its preferred temperature range.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
Timing is important when fertilizing border forsythia. Apply fertilizer in early spring and continue monthly until early summer. Fertilizer promotes attractive blooms and supplies energy during both dormant and active growth phases.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
Border forsythia produces bright yellow flowers early in the season. To keep your plant healthy and shapely, prune it in late spring after it has finished flowering. Focus on removing older stems to encourage new growth and preserve the plant's form. Be careful not to over-prune, as this can lead to fewer blooms. Consistent maintenance will improve the plant's health, boost air circulation, and lower the risk of disease.
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Shrub
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Forsythia
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 5-9
- Mature Height
- 2.44 m to 3.05 m
- Mature Spread
- 3.05 m to 3.66 m
- Leaf Color
- Green, Blue
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
- Flower Color
- Yellow
- Flower Size
- 2.54 cm
- Bloom Time
- Early spring, Mid spring
- Planting Time
- Spring, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer