Forsythia

Forsythia intermedia

Forsythia is the common name, and the botanic name of a plant genus belonging to the Oleaceae (Olive family), named for William Forsyth, consisting of a few species of garden or park shrubs. There are several species mostly native to Asia, and one native to southeastern Europe.

Two species are commonly cultivated for ornament; Forsythia x intermedia (a hybrid), and Forsythia suspensa. They are both spring flowering shrubs, with yellow flowers. They are grown and prized for being tough, reliable garden plants. Forsythia intermedia is more commonly grown, is smaller, has an upright habit, and produces strongly coloured flowers. Forsythia suspensa is a large to very large shrub, can be grown as a weeping shrub on banks, and has paler flowers. Many named garden varieties can also be found.

The species are;

• Forsythia europea, of the Balkans
• Forsythia giraldiana, of Northwest China
• Forsythia x intermedia (F. suspensa x F. viridissima)
• Forsythia ovata, from Korea
• Forsythia suspensa, from China
• Forsythia viridissima, of China

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