paghat wrote:

In article , Pam wrote:

paghat wrote:


I saw a snowy-white blossoming forsythia & it struck me as quite pleasing
& since it's the only one I've ever seen so far, can't regard it as overly
common. I wouldn't want it, on some level it would be too much like my
wild Philadelphius mock orange (another exciting weed).

The white forsythia is not a true forsythia - it is Abeliophyllum
disticum, aka
white forsythia. Slightly tender, it is a much more attractive and
well-mannered plant than forsythia. In our climate, it often blooms before
forsythia, only hits about 5' max, has fragrant flowers and wonderful dark
purple stems that contrast nicely against the white flowers. A far superior
plant for these reasons, but like the true forsythia, doesn't have much to say
for itself when out of flower.

pam - gardengal

Thanks! When I was told "that's white forsythia" I assumed a novel cultivar.

But I disagree yellow forsythias aren't much out of flower. I've seen this
comment often, but it strikes me as true mainly of cut-back specimens
which are stubby & ruinous looking.

I love the sweeping naked branches in winter when the bark turns rather
yellow; the brilliant yellow & red leaves of autumn with occasional
sprinkles of last-minute rebloom; the deep green sweeps of summer
foliage... There's not a season I don't like a big wild-looking one, even
if it outdoes itself most extremely when thick with yellow flowers. I've
noticed not all of them gain the brilliant autumn coloration & that would
be disappointing, but the one I inherited luckily has amazing autumn
color.


In the proper placement, I'd guess I'd agree with you, but most seem to be planted
in an area they rapidly outgrow and suffer for it by ill-mannered pruning. As a
background shrub in a mixed shrub border, they can add to early and late season
interest (not all get good fall color, though), but most seem to be placed as a
stand-alone, single specimen - wouldn't be my first choice!

BTW, I have seen a well-done forsythia hedge. Very neat, tailored shape and good
blooms - guess they must prune annually immediately after bloom to get it to look
well AND bloom.

pam - gardengal