Forsythia x intermedia (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 4m
Eventual Spread: 2m
Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Family: Oleaceae
Forsythia x intermedia is a deciduous spring flowering shrub with an upright habit. Its mid green leaves are ovate to lanceolate with entire margins, up to 10cm long and 2.5cm wide. Its leaves turn yellowish to purplish in autumn before they fall. Its yellow, four lobed flowers are located in the leaf axils in groups of up to 6, are up to 3cm long and appear before the leaves. This shrub may sucker.
Forsythia x intermedia, commonly known as the Border Forsythia, is thought to be a cross between Forsythia viridissima and Forsythia suspensa var. fortunei.
The etymological root of the binomial name Forsythia is named after William Forsyth (1737-1804), the superintendent of the Royal Gardens in Kensington and St. James Palace and founder member of the RHS. Intermedia is derived from the Latin inter meaning ‘between’ and medius meaning ‘middle’ in reference to this plant being a hybrid.
Forsythia x intermedia Flower (16/03/2014, Kew Gardens, London)
The landscape architect may find Forsythia x intermedia useful as an attractive spring flowering shrub. Once established this shrub is drought tolerant.
Ecologically, Forsythia x intermedia flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Forsythia x intermedia prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Forsythia x intermedia requires little maintenance. If required, pruning should be carried out after flowering. Rejuvenating pruning may be require when this shrub becomes over mature.
