Forsythia – the Golden Spring Messenger

The Forsythia is one of the most popular early-blooming shrubs. No wonder, as its golden-yellow flowers are a real eye-catcher in spring. And although the Forsythia is an Eastern beauty, it feels very much at home here as well.

If you want a splash of yellow in your garden this spring, you definitely can't go past the Forsythia. Additionally, the flowers of the Forsythia serve as a guide for pruning in spring, making it a natural alarm clock.

Although the Forsythia has an exotic origin, it is very undemanding and easy to care for in local gardens. It is best to plant the Forsythia in early spring, after the last frosts. This allows the plant to acclimate well to its new location and optimally prepare for the winter. If planted in autumn, the cold temperatures could harm it, and it would take longer to adjust to the new spot. Speaking of location: the Forsythia is a true all-rounder. Whether in full sun, partial shade, or shade, the Forsythia feels comfortable everywhere. Its only requirements are a lime-free soil that is kept consistently moist.

The Forsythia is very popular with both professional and hobby gardeners due to its flowers. No wonder, since the yellow-golden bells appear as early as mid-March, announcing the arrival of spring. This is why the Forsythia is also called "golden bells." From a gardening perspective, Forsythias are a true asset. However, from an ecological point of view, they are less beneficial. As beautiful as the golden bells of the Forsythia are, they don’t provide much. Unfortunately, Forsythias do not offer nectar for bees, and their pollen supply is also limited. However, if there are enough bee-friendly plants in the vicinity of the Forsythia, you can still enjoy the lovely sight. After all, beauty always comes at a price.

Although Forsythias are very low-maintenance and undemanding, they do require regular pruning. This is mainly because the Forsythia can quickly become lazy when it comes to blooming and can grow old. Therefore, the Forsythia should be pruned every year in your garden. This should be done after the Forsythia has finished flowering, typically by the end of April. All branches older than three years should be removed. This rejuvenates the plant and encourages it to bloom again. If you haven’t pruned your Forsythia in years, you can prune it radically back to the stump. If the plant is then watered properly, new young shoots will form, and these will carry many small golden bells in the following spring.