Tips For Growing A Weeping Forsythia Shrub

Weeping forsythia shrubs flower best in full sun, but they also grow in partial shade. The shrubs grow well in almost any soil, as long as it isn't too rich. It tolerates dry spells, but needs supplemental watering during extended periods of drought.

Should forsythia be cut back?

The best time for trimming forsythia is in the spring after the blooms fade. Pruning forsythia in late summer or fall will reduce the number of flowers in the spring since these shrubs bloom on old wood and set their flower buds soon after new growth appears.

Can you root forsythia in water?

Yes, you can easily root forsythia in water at the end of the winter.

How do you care for a forsythia bush?

First thing for forsythia shrub care is that forsythias enjoy full sun. Make sure your forsythia bush gets at least six hours of sunlight a day. While it can tolerate less than this, your forsythia's ability to flower will be reduced if it does not get full sun. Next, forsythias need to be grown in well draining soil.

Can I cut my forsythia to the ground?

Cutting back a forsythia back to the ground is a good way to encourage new growth, according to the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension. It's best to do this right after the blooms have faded on the bush, but if your shrub didn't bloom, just do it in late spring.

Does forsythia lose its leaves in winter?

Forsythia Winter Damage

Since forsythia is a deciduous shrub, it loses its leaves and goes dormant in winter. ... Forsythia shrubs are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8. The shrubs can survive cold temperatures down to -20 degrees F.

What is the best fertilizer for forsythia?

All-purpose fertilizer with a balance of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium is best, as these three nutrients promote root growth, color and flowering. However, it's also appropriate to use fertilizer that contains higher amounts of phosphorous.

How do you stop forsythia from spreading?

Cut branches as close to the ground as possible to encourage new growth to emerge from the base. Use this approach if the forsythia serves as a screen or an important backdrop in the garden. A more severe approach is to cut all of the branches to the ground and let the shrub resprout.

How deep are the roots of a forsythia bush?

Forsythia has a very healthy and reasonably deep root system, so leave about 2 feet of the final stems above ground.

Can forsythia grow in shade?

Forsythias are fast growing shrubs. Many cultivars (varieties) have spreading, arching growth habits and can reach a height of 8 to 10 feet. Forsythias grow and bloom best in full sun. They will grow in partial shade, but won't bloom as heavily.

Can you grow forsythia from a branch?

There are several ways that you can propagate forsythia plants. One is through taking cuttings. ... when you take a long stem from the forsythia and wound the stem about 10 inches. Then you place the branch in a pot with potting soil so that the wounded part is covered with soil.

How quickly does forsythia grow?

With a growth rate of 2 to 4 feet per year, your Forsythia fulfills almost any landscape need.

Is forsythia an invasive plant?

Having said that, I would rather see someone use sterile forsythia than burning bush with berries that go everywhere.” Forsythia doesn't appear on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's list of invasive plants, although the characteristics that Summers notes are similar to some other invasive plants.

What month does forsythia bloom?

Forsythia flowers early. The flowers are produced early in the spring, before the leaves emerge, for a welcome show of bright yellow blooms (F. suspensa has paler flowers). Plants in the upper Midwest typically bloom starting in late March to mid-April for one to two weeks.

What can I plant next to Forsythia?

Companion Planting and Design for Forsythia

Do not use forsythia as a foundation shrub; it can spread to great size. Redbud and Yoshino cherry trees are great companions providing color contrast. Flowering quince, bridal wreath spirea, and daffodils will naturalize together with forsythia for an early spring show.

How do you rejuvenate old forsythia?

Remove the oldest, branches as they produce fewer flowers over time. You can also remove any branches that cross over the others or look weak and unhealthy. This type of rejuvenation, which is called thinning, will encourage new branches to form. Thin your forsythia in late fall or early spring before the flowers form.

Why is my forsythia dying?

Weevil grubs (larvae) in the soil often attack the roots, endangering the shrub. A forsythia whose roots are infested with nematodes looks sickly, wilted or stunted. Its foliage is yellowed or bronzed. It will decline slowly and die.

How hard can I cut back forsythia?

The best time to prune a forsythia is immediately the flowers begin to fade. If you leave it a month or two later you will be reducing the show of flowers for next year. Forsythia flowers on stems which were grown during the previous two years. Prune to shape by removing about a quarter of the length from all stems.

Does forsythia stay green in winter?

Forsythias are easy to grow, but do require some maintenance. After a long, drab winter, most gardeners anxiously await the arrival of spring. ... Forsythia leaves are medium to dark green in summer. Fall leaf color is usually poor.

How much sun does a forsythia need?

Forsythia is hardy from growing zones 5 to 9. It will tolerate full sun to partial shade but needs at least six hours of full sun for vigorous bloom. Forsythia will tolerate most kinds of soil if it drains well.

How big does a forsythia bush get?

The forsythia grows to a height of 8–10' and a spread of 10–12' at maturity.