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To decorate the garden, they use not only herbaceous plants, but also various shrubs. Forsythia intermediate has not yet enjoyed widespread success among Russian gardeners. But those who grow this plant are enthusiastic about the beauty of the bushes, which delight in early spring with yellow and golden flowers of an unusual shape.
Description of Forsythia intermediate
The plant got its name from the royal gardener and botanist Forsyth, who brought the first seedlings to England from China. That is why, in some sources, the shrub is called Forsythia.
Under natural conditions, the plant is found in Japan, China, Korea. Of the 11 species, only 3 are found in Russian gardens. Shrubs in one place can grow up to 70 years old.
Forsythia intermediate refers to deciduous shrubs. These are hybrid plants, reaching a height of 3 m, depending on the species. The crown of medium branching is about 3 m in diameter. Forsythia is spreading rapidly, growing up to 25 cm per year.
Lanceolate foliage. At the beginning of the growing season - green, closer to autumn yellow. Flowers - large bells, 3.5 cm in diameter.
The shrub is especially loved by designers, because it looks decorative at any time of the year.
Intermediate forsythia in landscape design
Forsythias begin their flowering in early spring, almost at the same time as crocuses, primrose, hyacinths and daffodils. That is why these plants are taken as companions to the lower level of various flower arrangements.
How can be used in landscaping:
- in single and group landings;
- when creating a bright spot against the background of conifers;
- when creating a trellis or hedge;
- for the decoration of borders;
- as decorations for balconies, terraces;
- for growing in pots;
- to create bouquets.
Intermediate Forsythia varieties
Intermediate forsythia is a hybrid variety created by crossing 2 species: forsythia drooping and green.
Breeders have created several varieties of this shrub, the most popular are:
- Spectabilis;
- Linwood Gold;
- Goldsauber;
- Weekend;
- Golden Time;
- Malukh.
The varieties are dominated to one degree or another by parental traits, but the new species are undemanding to the soil and are able to tolerate low temperatures.
In landscape design, Forsythia intermediate Spectabilis is most often used.
Forsythia intermediate Spectabilis
Forsythia intermediate Spectabilis P9 is a short shrub (no higher than 1 m) with dark green leaves. This color will persist throughout the summer. In autumn, the shrub looks amazingly beautiful: the leaf blades are painted in all shades of purple.
Spreading shoots, hanging down. Flowers appear on them in the second half of April, when there is still no foliage. Golden flowers, collected in large bunches, are so densely clinging to the shoots that they are practically invisible.
Forsythia intermediate Linwood
Forsythia intermediate Lynwood has erect, spreading shoots. The bushes are quite tall - about 3 m. Flowering begins long before the leaves open. Shoots turn light green from large blossoming flowers.
The foliage is bright green in summer; by autumn it changes color. The leaf blades can be yellow or purple.
For the winter, the shoots of the bush are bent to the ground and covered, since the frost resistance of Forsythia is average.
Forsythia intermediate Goldsauber
The Forsythia intermediate Goldsauber variety was created by German breeders. Plants can be planted in almost all Russian regions, as they are frost-hardy.
The crown of the bush is spreading, the shoots are drooping. The height of an adult Forsythia of this variety is 1.7 m.
Plants are planted in sunny areas. The bush looks decorative throughout the growing season:
- In mid-April, bright yellow inflorescences appear, attracting insects with their aroma.
- By autumn, the color of the green leaves becomes bronze-red.
Forsythia intermediate Weekend
Forsythia intermediate Weekend is represented by a low shrub. Erect shoots grow up to 2 m in height.The diameter of the crown of an adult plant is within 3 m.
The shape of the leaf blades resembles an egg. Bright green leaves (leaf length - 5-10 cm) bloom later than flowers. In autumn, the bushes turn yellow-red.
Forsythia blooms early, as a rule, inflorescences appear in late April - early May. Bell-shaped buds with bright yellow petals. The flowers are large - up to 3.5 cm in length. The flowering is so abundant that no shoots are visible from under the flowers.
Intermediate forsion Golden Time
This variety is represented by a low deciduous shrub. The shoots are slightly drooping, up to 2 m high.A year the stems grow by 20 cm.
Serrated leaf blades. The most interesting thing is that from the moment of their appearance they have a variegated color. The bush can simultaneously have leaves of dark green and light green with a golden yellow border.
Forsythia Golden Time blooms early and abundantly in April-May. Golden yellow buds completely cover the stems. In place of the flowers, hard seed pods are formed.
Forsythia intermediate Malukh
Variety Malukh is an early-flowering deciduous shrub with a height of 1.2-1.5 m. It blooms early, profusely, when there are no leaves on the plants yet. Deep yellow buds.
When planting for a shrub, they choose a place where there is no wind. Prefers moist, well-drained soil. In order for the plant to please with abundant flowering in the spring, in the fall the shoots must be bent to the ground and covered with snow until frosts begin.
Planting and caring for Forzia intermediate
All varieties of culture, including Forsythia intermediate Spectabilis, are widely used in landscape design. Novice gardeners are wary of a plant with amazing flowers, they believe that it will take a lot of effort.
In fact, the hybrid is unpretentious, does not require any special agrotechnical knowledge.
Landing
It is better to plan the planting in the fall, before the frosts come:
- Forsythia seedlings are planted in pre-prepared pits, measuring 60x60x70 cm at a distance of at least 1.5 m, since the crown of all varieties is spreading.
- The bottom of the pit is drained with crushed stone, broken brick, and the top is filled with a nutrient composition of humus, sheet soil and sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 2. It is advisable to add wood ash to each hole.
- The pit is filled with water, a depression is made in the center, Forsythia is planted in it. It is not necessary to deeply deepen the plant.
- Sprinkle the roots with soil, which must be slightly trampled down and watered abundantly.
- The trunk circle is mulched with peat or humus.
- Shoots are folded down, fixed and covered for the winter.
Watering
When grown outdoors, there is no need to worry about lighting and watering.The plant is drought-resistant, therefore it does not require a lot of water, except in the absence of precipitation. This pleases gardeners who cannot often visit the country.
Top dressing
Frequency of dressings:
- The first food is given to the plants as soon as the snow melts. It is best to add rotted manure to the trunk circle and loosen the soil.
- The second feeding is timed to the moment of bud formation. In early April, mineral fertilizers are applied under the Forsythia bushes.
- For the third time, complex fertilizing is again introduced immediately after flowering ends.
- The last replenishment is given in the fall before the shelter for the winter.
Diseases and pests
According to the description, all varieties of Forsythia intermediate (in Latin Forsythia) are resistant to many diseases and pests.
But young plants can suffer from fusarium, leading to wilting. In addition, a black, mold-like bloom may appear on the shoots.
To combat the disease, you can use:
- "Fitosporin";
- "Gamair";
- "Trichophyte".
Moniliosis can be distinguished by dry brown spots covering leaves and shoots. Treatment is carried out with fungicides.
Only a few types of pests live on Forsythia intermediate:
- nematodes;
- aphid;
- larvae of goldtail and moths.
To destroy harmful insects, you need to use folk remedies or insecticides.
Pruning
Forsythia intermediate Linwood Gold, like other hybrid varieties, needs timely pruning. This procedure ensures lush bloom.
Pruning of plants is planned for the spring after flowering. There are 2 types of activities:
- regular pruning;
- sanitary pruning.
The first haircut option is aimed at shaping the crown of the bush. The shape can be any, but most often the shoots are cut, creating a ball.
The stems affected by diseases and pests are cut out as needed. Old stems should be removed every 3-4 years.
The trimming scheme for Forsythia intermediate is shown in the photo.
Wintering Forsythia intermediate
The next year's flower buds form after the plant has bloomed. Their development will continue in winter. In order for the bushes to delight in the spring with lush buds, you need to take care of the plants in the fall. Despite its winter hardiness, Forsythia needs shelter in regions where the thermometer drops below -5 degrees.
Shoots need to be bent to the ground and firmly fixed so that they do not rise in winter. You can cover the plantings with pine spruce branches, humus, foliage or dry grass. Lay non-woven fabric on top. In the conditions of Siberia and the Urals, it is recommended to sprinkle the bushes with soil if a winter with little snow is expected.
Conclusion
Intermediate forsythia is an unpretentious plant from the Olive family. It is not difficult to grow it, unpretentiousness is the main quality of culture. Flowering bushes will always delight you with beautiful flowers in early spring and bright leaves in autumn.
