Lynwood Gold Forsythia

Winter can be a tedious experience and spring a long time coming – so a plant that will burst into glorious bloom at the first hint of spring, long before there is a single leaf on any tree, is something that should be in every garden. Forsythia is such a plant. The last snow will have hardly melted before Forsythia buds will be swelling and bursting into bloom, covering the bare twigs with glowing yellow blossoms that last for weeks. Forsythia is also a very easy plant to grow, thriving in almost any soil, resistant to dry summers, pests, diseases and needing very little care. Once blooming has finished for the year, your Forsythia will fill out with rich green leaves and become an attractive background plant for your summer flowering shrubs.

Not only is Forsythia tough and beautiful, it will grow 2 to 4 feet a year, so it quickly makes a hedge or fills in the background for your slower growing plants. It will grow in all types of soil, in city conditions and is free of pests and diseases. It is seldom badly damaged by deer, who may take a nibble or two, but Forsythia is so fast growing that the damage will not even be noticed. It will grow in heavy clay soils, and even live under Black Walnut trees, which kill so many other plants around them.

Growing Lynwood Gold Forsythia Shrubs

Forsythia grows into a rounded shrub with many branches, eventually reaching 6 to 9 feet tall and the same size across; so it is a great shrub for background planting where it will fill space and look terrific in bloom. The leaves are dark-green, smooth and about 3 inches long. The flowers are bright yellow with broad petals and are almost 2 inches long. They cover the bare branches in very early spring or late winter, as soon as the weather starts to become a little warmer and before almost anything else is blooming in your garden.

Although Forsythia grows to around 9 feet in height, it can easily be kept shorter by clipping, so it makes a beautiful hedge. Unlike many plants turned into a hedge, which produce few flowers because of the regular clipping, Forsythia actually flowers even more if it is clipped and your hedge will be a blaze of yellow every spring.

Hardiness

Forsythia grows easily in zones 5 to 8, so it can be grown right across America in all but the coldest and warmest areas. It needs some cold in winter to grow successfully. This is a very tough plant, which will grow in full sun or partial shade, in all kinds of soils and need no special care. It needs no water when established, except during extreme drought and will tolerate city conditions and urban pollution.

Planting

Forsythia is easy to grow and needs no special soil preparation. Just dig a hole or a trench twice the width of the pot. Place your plants in the hole or line them up in your trench, replace most of the soil and firm it well down. Then water thoroughly and replace the rest of the soil after the water drains away. For a hedge space the plants 5 feet apart, or as close as 3 feet if you plan on keeping your hedge short and narrow. Clip regularly as you would any hedge. Keep the top narrower than the bottom to be sure that leaves and flowers form right to the ground.

Pruning and Care

If not grown as a hedge, prune a little after flowering by removing any very old branches, and trimming back others to keep the plant neat. During summer cut the ends off any very tall new shoots to keep your Forsythia full and compact. If it does get overgrown and too large, you can easily cut it back as much as you want, even right to the ground. Finally, if you tire of waiting for spring, go out and cut some branches from your Forsythia. Put them in a vase of water indoors and in a few days they will burst into bloom and bring some spring to your winter.

History and Origins of the Lynwood Gold Forsythia

There are several kinds of Forsythia, but we are bringing you the best one for tough growth and a profusion of flowers. This is Forsythia x intermedia ‘Lynwood Gold’. This plant is a particular form of a plant that occurred naturally in a botanic garden in Germany when two species of Forsythia from different parts of China were growing near each other and produced a hybrid from natural seed.

This plant was sent to the famous Arnold Arboretum near Boston, Massachusetts in 1889. ‘Lynwood Gold’ was found in Ireland in 1935 when part of one of these plants changed into a better form, with larger, richer flowers and stronger, hardier growth. It rapidly became a favorite with gardeners all over the world and now you can grow this wonderful plant in your garden.

Buying Lynwood Gold Forsythia Shrubs at The Tree Center

This Forsythia is a special plant and only the exact plant will have the flowers and toughness you need. So it must be produced directly from plants absolutely known to be right. Our shrubs are grown the correct way, from branch cuttings of these special plants. That way every tree is identical to the original so they will produce a very uniform effect, which is especially important when planted in a row. However, these take longer to produce, so avoid cheaper trees that will only be a disappointment.

We sell only trees that are true to the original form and we have a wide range of sizes to give you the best plant for your purpose. We are constantly renewing our stock to ensure that our customers always receive fresh, healthy plants, so supplies of this tree may be limited. To avoid disappointment order now. Be sure to check out other varieties that we stock, like the Show Off Forsythia or the Golden Bells Forsythia.

What is the best time of year to plant Lynwood Gold Forsythia?

The best time to plant Lynwood Gold Forsythia is in the early spring or fall. This allows the plant to establish its root system in moderate temperatures before the heat of summer or the cold of winter. However, given its hardiness and adaptability, it can technically be planted at any time of the year as long as you can provide it with adequate water and care.

Can Lynwood Gold Forsythia be grown in a pot?

Yes, Lynwood Gold Forsythia can be grown in a pot, but keep in mind that it is a large shrub that can reach up to 9 feet in height and width. Therefore, it will need a large pot and regular pruning to keep it at a manageable size. Also, potted plants generally require more frequent watering and feeding than those grown in the ground.

How often should I water my Lynwood Gold Forsythia?

Once established, Lynwood Gold Forsythia is quite drought-tolerant and generally requires little watering. However, during the first year after planting, it should be watered regularly to ensure a strong root system. After that, you only need to water it during periods of extreme drought. Always remember that it’s better to water deeply and less frequently, as this encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil.

What type of fertilizer should I use for my Lynwood Gold Forsythia?

Lynwood Gold Forsythia is not particularly fussy about soil fertility and can thrive in almost any soil. However, for optimal growth and flowering, you can feed it with a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring before the new growth starts. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers as they can promote leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

How can I propagate Lynwood Gold Forsythia?

Lynwood Gold Forsythia can be easily propagated by taking softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer. Choose a healthy, vigorous branch and cut a 4-6 inch piece. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and plant it in a pot filled with a mix of sand and peat moss. Keep the cutting moist and in a shaded location until roots develop, then it can be transplanted to its permanent location.

What pests or diseases should I watch out for with my Lynwood Gold Forsythia?

Lynwood Gold Forsythia is a very hardy plant and is generally resistant to most common garden pests and diseases. However, it can occasionally be affected by aphids, scale insects, or twig blight. Regular inspection of your plant and early intervention can prevent these issues from becoming serious. If you notice any signs of pests or disease, consult with a local nursery or extension service for treatment recommendations.

Can Lynwood Gold Forsythia tolerate shade?

Yes, Lynwood Gold Forsythia can tolerate partial shade, but for the best flowering, it should be planted in a location that receives full sun. If planted in too much shade, it may grow well but produce fewer flowers. Also, keep in mind that it needs some cold in winter to grow successfully, so it’s not suitable for tropical climates.

How can I use Lynwood Gold Forsythia in my landscape design?

Lynwood Gold Forsythia is a versatile plant that can be used in many ways in your landscape design. Its vibrant yellow flowers make it a great choice for a focal point in your garden. It can also be used as a background plant for your summer flowering shrubs. Because of its size and dense growth, it makes an excellent privacy screen or hedge. It can also be planted in groups or as a specimen plant in a lawn.

What is the lifespan of a Lynwood Gold Forsythia?

With proper care, Lynwood Gold Forsythia can live for many years. Its exact lifespan can vary depending on the growing conditions and care it receives, but it’s not uncommon for it to live for several decades. Regular pruning can help keep the plant healthy and vigorous, and it can even rejuvenate older plants.

Why isn’t my Lynwood Gold Forsythia blooming?

There could be several reasons why your Lynwood Gold Forsythia isn’t blooming. It needs a period of cold in winter to trigger blooming, so if the winter has been unusually warm, this could be the cause. It also needs plenty of sunlight to bloom well, so if it’s planted in too much shade, this could be affecting its blooming. Finally, if you’ve been pruning it at the wrong time (after the buds have set), you could be inadvertently removing the flower buds. Forsythia should be pruned immediately after flowering to ensure that you don’t remove the next year’s flowers.