Forsythia × intermedia

The forsythia ( Forsythia x intermedia), also garden forsythia, lilac gold or gold bells called (rarely also Stangenblüter in southern Germany ), is a commonly planted ornamental shrub. It is a hybrid of two species of the genus Forsythia. This belongs to the family Oleaceae ( Oleaceae ).

Description

The shrub grows upright and reaches a height of three to four meters. The flowers appear before the leaves emerge in the spring, depending on the variety from March to May The flower buds are formed only at the last year's branches. The oval - oblong leaves are blowing then after flowering. In the autumn the leaves turn yellowish- green; rarely there is also a wine -red in autumn.

Culture

The artificial hybrid between F. suspensa × F. viridissima is commonly cultivated in Central Europe. More rarely, the parent- species are cultivated, probably added from the Empire of China with its highly developed art of gardening and have come to Japan and Europe. It is planted here only since 1833.

Often the variety Lynwood is planted; newer varieties have small permanent plants as a target.

In environmental terms, the forsythia is judged critical because most varieties are shunned by insects. All parts of the plant are low toxic.