Forsythia

Forsythia intermedia

Forsythia is both the common name and botanical name of a plant genus belonging to the Oleaceae (Olive family), named after 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 x intermedia is the 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