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Home  /  Plants  /  Budburst Species  /  Forsythia x intermedia
Phenology Observation Sheet for Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

COMMON NAME

Border Forsythia

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Forsythia x intermedia

Plant family

Olive (Oleaceae)

Plant group

Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

Border Forsythia is an ornamental perennial deciduous shrub of garden origin, introduced to parts of the Midwestern United States.
1681 reports
560+
OBSERVERS
1681+
OBSERVATIONS
!

Identification hints

Border Forsythias are somewhat upright shrubs with arching branches covered in showy yellow flowers in spring. The flowers are some of the first to emerge and the leaves emerge after flowering finishes.
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Did you know?

Border Forsythia is likely the result of a cross between Forsythia viridissima and F. suspensa var. fortunei. There are a least 10 cultivars of this showy garden species that was first introduced to the United States at the Arnold Arboretum in 1889.
DISTRIBUTION IN TH U.S.
Alabama , Arkansas , Connecticut , Illinois , Indiana , Kansas , Louisiana , Massachusetts , Maryland , Montana , North Carolina , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New York , Ohio , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , Tennessee , Utah , Virginia , Washington , West Virginia
HABITAT
Border Forsythia grows on many soils, but it needs full sun for best form and maximal flowering. It is tolerant of partial shade and urban conditions.
ATTRIBUTES
Leaves
The leaves are 3 to 5 in (7.5 to 12.5 cm) long and 0.5 to 1 in (1.25 to 2.5 cm) wide. They are oppositely arranged, and have toothed margins toward the tip of the leaf. Each leaf is oval at the base and can be pointed toward the tips. The upper side is medium to dark green and the underside is a little lighter. Leaves appear after blooming.
Flowers
The bright yellow flowers are 1¼ to 1½ in (3 to 3.75 cm) long. They have 4 lobes and appear in clusters of 2 to 6. The clustered flowers appear before the leaves come out and are found along all the branches. Flowers bloom in early spring.
Fruits
The fruits of border forsythia are dry, brown, woody capsule with several winged seeds.
Bark
When new, twigs on branches of border forsythia are green, and mature to brown or yellow brown. All branches have prominent raised lenticels (small dots or bumps).
Bloom Time
Border Forsythia typically blooms in early spring in the Midwestern United States.

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