Forsythia Blooms: Do They Smell Sweet?

Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the olive family, native to eastern Asia and southeastern Europe. Blooming in early spring, forsythia flowers are bright yellow with four petals, and emerge before the leaves. The flowers are followed by dry capsules that contain winged seeds. While forsythia is cherished for its vibrant display of colour, there is no mention of any aroma or fragrance produced by the blooms.

Do forsythia blooms have a scent?

Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the olive family, native to eastern Asia and southeastern Europe. It is a popular cultivated plant, often one of the first signs of spring, with its bright yellow blooms and upright, arching growth pattern.

While forsythia is cherished for its vibrant display of colour, there is little to suggest that its blooms have a strong scent. In fact, one source notes that forsythia is not generally regarded as a beneficial pollinator plant, as it blooms early in the season before most bees and butterflies are active. This suggests that the plant does not rely on an aroma to attract pollinators.

However, another source mentions that the flowers are "pendant in rainy weather, thus shielding the reproductive parts". This could imply that the blooms have a subtle aroma, which may become more noticeable in the rain, attracting pollinators.

Overall, while forsythia is undoubtedly a beautiful plant with many desirable characteristics, there is limited evidence to suggest that its blooms have a distinct or noticeable scent.

What is the best way to grow forsythia?

Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the olive family, native to eastern Asia and southeastern Europe. It is a deciduous shrub that typically grows to a height of 1–3 metres, rarely up to 6 metres, with rough grey-brown bark. The flowers are bright yellow and produced in early spring before the leaves.

When planting forsythia, choose a site with full sun to light shade and well-draining soil. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. Remove the plant from its nursery container and tease out the roots. Set the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with or slightly higher than the soil line. Backfill the hole with soil, tamp down lightly to remove air pockets and water well. Water regularly until the plants are established.

Forsythia is tolerant of different soils but performs best in rich, well-draining soil. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy, as overwatering can cause root rot or fungal diseases. Water more often during prolonged heat or dry spells. Plants are somewhat drought-tolerant once established.

Forsythia needs little or no supplemental fertilising. In late winter or early spring, apply a slow-release fertiliser that is specially formulated for trees and shrubs according to instructions. Mulch plants around the base with a thin layer of compost or other organic matter to add nutrients, suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Forsythia blooms on old wood, so prune plants just after flowering. Pruning too late in the growing season will result in a loss of flowers the following year. Remove any branches that are dead, diseased or broken as needed. Plants pruned into formal hedges may experience a loss of flowers. Rejuvenation pruning can be done every 4-6 years as needed. Cut out a few of the oldest branches completely to encourage new growth, which flowers the most abundantly.

What are the benefits of forsythia?

Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the olive family, native to eastern Asia and southeastern Europe. The deciduous shrubs are known for their bright yellow blooms, which appear in early spring before the foliage emerges. They are easy to grow, low-maintenance, and fast-growing, making them a popular choice for gardens and landscaping. Here are some benefits of forsythia:

Medicinal Properties

Forsythia has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. The dried fruit, known as lian qiao in China, has been used to treat various conditions, including:

• Airway illnesses
• Swelling
• Fever
• Pain and inflammation
• Sore throat
• Tonsillitis
• Infections
• Diarrhea
• Flu
• Allergies
• High cholesterol
• Cardiovascular issues

Food and Beverage Applications

The flowers and young leaves of forsythia are edible and can be used to add colour and flavour to various dishes. They are often used as a garnish or sprinkled over salads. The flowers can also be made into a syrup, which can be drizzled over pancakes or stirred into tea.

Skin Care Benefits

The oil extracted from forsythia flowers has skin benefits and can be used in various cosmetic products, including:

• Lotions
• Creams
• Soaps
• Lip balms
• Body butters
• Lotion bars
• Cleansing grains
• Face washes
• Toners

Gardening and Landscaping

Forsythia is valued for its aesthetic appeal in gardens and landscaping. It is easy to grow and tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including different types of soil and partial shade. Its dense foliage provides a lush backdrop to other plants, and its fast-growing nature makes it suitable for creating privacy screens, borders, and erosion control.

What are the different types of forsythia?

There are 11 species in the Forsythia genus, primarily native to eastern Asia, with one species from Europe. The two most variable species, F. suspensa and F. viridissima, were the first to be brought from Asia to Europe. Many hybrids have been created using these two species as parents, resulting in plants with a wide range of characteristics.

• 'Beatrix Farrand' is one of the largest forsythias, reaching up to 10 feet tall and wide, with some of the largest flowers, measuring about 2 inches in diameter.
• 'Lynwood Gold' flowers are not as large or vibrant as 'Beatrix Farrand', but it flowers reliably year after year without much attention. It is more upright, growing to about 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide.
• 'Northern Gold' is a golden yellow, cold-hardy variety that tolerates temperatures as low as -30 degrees F. It is suitable for windswept areas. Other cold-hardy types include 'Northern Sun' and 'Meadowlark'.
• 'Karl Sax' blooms two weeks later than other types and is bushier than 'Beatrix Farrand', growing to about 6 feet tall.
• 'Show Off' and 'Sunrise' are mid-sized shrubs, measuring 5 to 6 feet tall. 'Show Off' is ideal for cutting branches for indoor arrangements, while 'Sunrise' is a mounding shrub with a touch of fall colour.
• Golden Peep, Goldilocks, and Gold Tide are dwarf varieties that are compact and measure around 30 inches tall, making them good groundcovers.
• 'Bronxensis' is a dwarf variety of F. viridissima, growing to a height of 2 to 3 feet with an equal spread. It is well-suited for container gardening and creating low hedges or ground covers.
• 'Citrus Swizzle' (F. viridissima ‘McKCitrine’) is a variegated dwarf forsythia that grows to a height of 18 to 24 inches, making it perfect for containers and bed edging. It is prized for its unique foliage, displaying shades of chartreuse and lime green that age to light green, cream, and burgundy.
• 'Fiesta' (F. x intermedia ‘Fiesta’) is a compact hybrid cultivar, growing to a height of 3 feet and a width of 4 feet. It is one of the earliest bloomers, with variegated foliage in shades of light green, yellow, and cream, and red stems that stand out in winter.
• 'Courtasol' (F. x intermedia Gold Tide® 'Courtasol') is a small-stature hybrid, growing to a height of 24 to 30 inches and a width of 4 feet. It received the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit in 2002. It is suitable for mass planting in sunny woodland settings and along foundations and walkways.
• 'Spectabilis' (F. × intermedia ‘Spectabilis’) is a cultivar that combines the stiffer habit of F. viridissima with the more profuse flowering of F. suspensa var. sieboldii. It produces clusters of vivid yellow flowers, each about 1½ inches across.
• 'Meadowlark' (F. x intermedia 'Meadowlark') is a hybrid of F. ovata and F. europaea, with bright yellow flowers and excellent flower bud hardiness. It can grow quite large, up to 13 feet tall and wide, if not pruned.
• 'New Hampshire Gold' is a cultivar developed in New Hampshire, growing to a height of 5 feet with hardy flower buds.
• 'Kolgold' (F. x intermedia Magical® 'Gold') is an early-blooming type, growing to a height of 3 to 4 feet, with modest dimensions. It blooms on both old and new wood, providing masses of golden colour.
• 'Mindor' (F. x intermedia 'Show Off® Mindor') is an early spring flowering shrub with dense, upright branches and bright yellow flowers. It grows to a height and width of 5 to 6 feet, making it well-suited for close planting to form hedges.

How do you care for a forsythia plant?

Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the olive family, native to eastern Asia and southeastern Europe. They are typically hardy and low-maintenance, making them a popular choice for gardeners. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to care for a forsythia plant:

Planting

Forsythia is best planted in the fall or early spring. Choose a site with full sun to light shade and well-draining soil. Dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. Set the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with or slightly higher than the soil line, then backfill the hole with soil and tamp down lightly before watering well. Space multiple plants 3 to 10 feet apart, depending on the variety. Loosen the soil in the planting area to improve drainage and consider adding organic matter to the soil to improve fertility and drainage.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy to avoid root rot or fungal diseases. Water more often during prolonged heat or dry spells. Once established, forsythia plants are somewhat drought-tolerant.

Fertilizing

Forsythia plants require little to no supplemental fertilizing. If desired, apply a slow-release fertilizer for trees and shrubs in late winter or early spring, following the instructions on the package. Alternatively, spread a thin layer of compost or other organic matter around the base of the plant to add nutrients, suppress weeds, and retain moisture.

Pruning

Pruning is essential for shaping and rejuvenating older forsythia shrubs. The best time to prune is right after the plant finishes blooming in the spring, as forsythia blooms on old wood. Pruning too late in the season will result in a loss of flowers the following year. Remove any dead, diseased, or broken branches, as well as old, thick stems at the base, to encourage new growth.

Mulching

Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the shrub to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Ensure the mulch does not touch the stem directly to prevent potential rot or pest problems.

Winter Protection

In areas with extreme winter conditions, protect the shrubs with burlap, especially if they are planted as a windbreak or hedge. Avoid heavy snow loads on the branches by gently shaking off or brushing away excess snow.

Propagation

Propagating forsythia can be done through stem cuttings in late spring to early summer, or through layering. To propagate by cuttings, take a 4-6 inch section of a healthy, new growth stem and dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder before planting it in a suitable rooting medium. Keep the soil moist and place the cuttings in a shaded spot or cover them with a clear plastic dome to retain humidity. Roots typically develop within 4-6 weeks. To propagate by layering, bend a low branch down to the soil level and secure it in place with a rock. Make a small cut where the branch touches the soil and keep the area well-watered. Over time, the buried section will develop roots, and the new plant can be severed and transplanted elsewhere.

Frequently asked questions