A golden splash of spring colour

Forsythia, once a common sight in gardens, is rarely seen today, which is such a great pity. It is an early flowering large shrub that heralds spring with its bright yellow flowers.

In past times all gardens with a space for a large shrub featured Forsythia. Perhaps its overuse was to its detriment. However in my view, it is worth taking another look at them. There are many more new and exciting varieties now available, from the very large, to those that suit a space as small as a window box.

Forsythia is native to central China with a few European species of note too. It is a member of the olive family, Oleaceae. Its name commemorates a Scottish botanist and horticulturalist William Forsyth (1737-1804).

They flower on bare stems in spring in advance of dark green leaves appearing. This is a beautiful sight as the new light green foliage emerges among the beautiful flowers to take over for the summer period. Forsythia also makes a wonderful colourful hedge which takes clipping well and produces flowers.

Two species, F. suspensa and F. viridissima, when hybridised, gives us the majority of the bright yellow flowered shrubs we love.

F. x intermedia ‘Spectabilis’ is certainly one of the best, flowering profusely in March/April. The stems are covered in broad petalled yellow flowers for a period of about three weeks. It attains a height of 2.5m.

F. ‘Beatrix Farrand’ is similar however slightly lower in height to 2m. It is a brighter more vibrant yellow colour again flowering around the same time. I consider it to be a better plant, it commemorates a great American landscape architect, a story worth studying.

F. suspensa, known as the Weeping Forsythia, is a very large shrub which grows over 3m and as the species name suggests has a loose lax growing habit. It is a great space filler. I have seen it grown as a wall plant tumbling down with yellow flowers.

F. suspensa ‘Nymans’ is more interesting as it has purple stems which highlight the yellow flowers. It arose at Nymans arboretum in Kent in 1951.

F. giraldiana, another Chinese species that varies insofar as its flower are primrose yellow in colour and fragrant, which is an added bonus. It is a tall grower to 3m and said to be the most elegant of the species. It also has a lovely yellow autumn colour in its foliage.

F. x intermedia ‘Lynwood Variety’ is a plant that was discovered in a garden in Northern Ireland and was introduced by Slieve Donard Nursery, no longer in existence. It is considered by some to be the very best Forsythia. I tend to agree. Its flowers are rich yellow and borne profusely along the stems.

Slightly later to flower is F. x intermedia ‘Goldrauch’ or sometimes sold as F. x intermedia ‘Goldrush’ is really spectacular in terms of the quality of its flowers which lengthens the Forsythia flowering season. The flowers are bigger than others and more striking.

Window box

If space is an issue, there are several low growing species that suit smaller gardens such as F. x intermedia ‘Mikador’. This grows no higher than a metre, which means it is perfectly suitable for smaller spaces and just as beautiful.

F. x intermedia ‘Nimbus’ grows to a maximum height of 80cm with large golden yellow flowers to 3cm across. It’s a real showstopper. Smaller again is F. ovata ‘Paulina’ growing to a height of 30cm with interesting jagged foliage and the same flower type. This is suitable for the rock garden or indeed a window box. F. x intermedia ‘Maree d’Or’ is another low growing shrub to 90cm with light yellow flowers.

Forsythia are easily grown and trouble free in terms of pests and diseases. Pruning is important and it is essential to select the stems that have flowered and cut them back leaving room for fresh growth, as it is from these stems that next year’s flowers will be produced.

Take time selecting a planting spot as they are plants for the long-term and do not like transplanting once they have established themselves. Having said that they are easily propagated should you wish or need to. For added punch to the flowering season I suggest underplanting with blue flowered Muscari armeniacum, that will set the scene perfectly well.

Trees, shrubs and roses: Sap is now rising so avoid any pruning of birch or maple. Roses are now making new growth, while there is room to work around them remove any weeds. Fork out dandelion or dock and feed before mulching.

Fruit and vegetables: Do final preparation for potato sowing, ensure tubers are nicely chitted. Onion sets can be planted now, purchase healthy sets and cover with mesh to prevent bird damage.

Greenhouse: Hardy annual sowing should be well underway. Sow only what you think you will use.

Lawn: The lawn is now coming into full growth. Keep your mower blades high initially. Apply a lawn fertiliser at the recommended rate.

I’ve neglected my butterfly bush and it’s out of control. How much can I prune off it? For the sake of my butterflies I’d hate to lose it. – John, Limerick

Your question is timely, as now is the perfect time to get Buddleja, commonly called the butterfly bush back in control. Cut back all long stems to the height and width you can afford to give it, bearing in mind it will regrow.

Cut to where you see fat buds bursting into growth and cut just above these. Remove all stems that are weak or overcrowded. It may very well look drastic but Buddleja regrows very quickly.

The key to managing it when it starts regrowing is to prune the tips of any vigorous new fresh growth again just above new leaves. This will maintain the shape of the butterfly bush for you and control the space it takes up.