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Forsythia x intermedia

Common name:		Family:	Oleaceae
Author:	Zabel.	Botanical references:	11, 200
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	A hybrid of garden origin, F. suspensa x F. viridissima.
Habitat:	Not known in the wild.
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	0

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	F. x intermedia var. densiflora[G]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Border Forsythia [H], Common Forsythia [H], Forsythia [H],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	intermedia = intermediate; media = intermediate;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Scrophulariales. Olive family

Physical Characteristics

A decidious shrub growing to 2.5m by 2.5m . It is hardy to zone 5. It is in flower from March to April. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 0/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Hedge, Woodland, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge, Deep Shade.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

None known

Other Uses

Hedge.

Can be grown as a tall hedge, the var. 'Lynwood' is frequently used[29]. Var. 'Spectabilis' also makes a good hedge[200] as does 'Beatrix Farrand'[188].

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in a well drained ordinary garden soil but prefers a rich soil[1]. Succeeds in limy soils[11]. Prefers a sunny position but succeeds in semi shade[200]. Plants are tolerant of deep shade[219].
A very ornamental plant[1], there are several named varieties. Any pruning out of weak shoots, plus any trimming of hedges, is best done after the plant has flowered[188].
Birds may destroy the flower buds in cold areas[200].
This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates within 2 months[K]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. This is a hybrid species and seed will not come true to type.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood 10 - 15cm taken at a node, July/August in a frame. Plant out in autumn or spring. A very high percentage, they root within 3 weeks[78].
Cuttings of mature wood in a sheltered outdoor bed. Good percentage[78].

Cultivars

'Spectabilis': An upright form to about 2.5 metres in height, it makes a good tall hedge[200].
'Lynwood': A semi-erect form to about 2.5 metres tall[200], it is frequently used to make a tall hedge[29].
'Beatrix Farrand': A form with an erect habit, it makes a good tall hedge[188].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for the family Oleaceae.

[CHINA] Data Very detailed botanical/identification info. from the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[29] Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974 ISBN 0900629649
A small but informative booklet giving details of all the hedging plants being grown in the R.H.S. gardens at Wisley in Surrey.

[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[219] Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983 ISBN 0-00-219220-0
A nice little book about plants for growing against walls and a small section on plants that can grow in walls.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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