Often, when forsythias are not tended to for an extended period, they lose
some of their flowering capacity. Rejuvenation of the shrub by removing one
third of the oldest canes each year for 3 years will help. I have also known
folks who have pruned them back nearly to the ground and they have come back
strong, but it is not a method I'd recommend without reservation. Pruning at
improper times can also affect flowering - immediately after flowering is
best for these early spring bloomers. Avoid much fertilizing also - most
shrubs seem to flower best with minimal chemical intervention.

Don't know what's up with the 'prunus' suspect, although the other responder
has a good theory. Pretty much anything from the Prunus genus can be
problematic - lots of disease and insect susceptibility.

Yes, allowing the fully green branches to remain on pretty much any
variegated plant will continue to diminish the amount of variegation
present. The green portions are genetically stronger and will eventually
overwhelm the variegated tissue and the plant will become non-variegated in
time.

HTH

pam - gardengal


"KD" wrote in message
...
Hi Pam, thanks for the reply.

Now, a couple more questions if you don't mind.

The forsythia as I mentioned, has a single flower on it at the moment. It
did have a few more earlier in the spring - but not many. I live in
Atlantic
Canada, so that could explain it blooming somewhat late. But why would so
much of the plant not bear flowers? I do like them, perhaps it needs to be
cut back? The suspected prunus, same thing. Most of it doesn't flower, and
the flowers seem rather small compared to others I've seen. If pruning is
required, do I do it now, or wait until after the winter?

Next question, the euonymus. Why do the solid green leaves need to be cut
back, do they eventually take over the nice variegated leaves?

Thanks!

KD


"Pam - gardengal" wrote in message
news:UTWBc.75658$Hg2.74454@attbi_s04...

"KD" wrote in message
...
Hi everyone:

I'm a new homeowner, never really had much to do with a yard before.
Now
with summer upon us, I'm finding I really enjoy working in the
yard...but
for the most part, I don't know what I've got here. I'm sure it's
nothing
unusual, I'm just not knowledgeable yet.

Can someone help me by telling me what these are? Thanks!

http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/kimberlyyoung/plants.html

The first is forsythia - a pretty common shrub. Amazing you actually
found
a
flower this late in the season - it tends to be one of the earliest
shrubs
to bloom in the spring.

The second looks like a variegated euonymus, most likely E japonicus
'Silver
King'. You can prune it back hard without problem and be sure to remove
any
solid green branches.

The third looks like some sort of prunus (cherry family), but I can't
tell
exactly which species from the photo quality.

The last is a climbing honeysuckle, Lonicera spp. Various types can be
rather weedy and invasive - others are very gardenworthy. Typically have
a
nice fragrance and attract hummingbirds.

pam - gardengal