The forsythia is a very popular flowering plant that is natively found in parts of Eastern Asia. The plant gives off very unique flowers and has become a mainstay in gardens of people who like flowering plants.
If you are interested in growing the forsythia from scratch, you should know that this plant requires quite a bit of care.
It is important for you to make sure that you properly care for the Forsythia plant if you want it to grow quickly. There are a bunch of different things that you can do to speed up the growth of the plant. For people who want fast-growing plants, forsythias are a great choice.
This is a flowering hedge that is going to grow quickly, so it’s recommended that you plant it at least six feet apart. It is suitable for hardiness zones 5 to 8, and it is capable of growing more than 24 inches in a year when taken care of.
But, what can you do to ensure that forsythia grows at a much faster rate? Here are some simple things that you should keep in mind.
Give it Full Sun
One of the things that you should know about this plant is that the forsythia hedges like exposure to the full sun. If the plant is growing in a shade, you will notice a significant reduction in the overall level of growth.
Instead, you should consider transplanting it to a location where it is going to get access to a greater amount of sunlight.
You have to make sure that your forsythia gets at least six hours of exposure to the sun. Keep in mind that the plant is capable of tolerating a bit less sun than this, though the rate of growth is going to reduce sharply.
To make sure that your plant continues to grow at its maximum speed, you have to make sure that it gets exposure to the maximum amount of sunlight during the course of the day.
The ability of the forsythia to give flowers is going to be directly impacted based on the amount of sunlight that it gets. If the plant receives less sunlight, you will notice fewer flowers. It is important for you to make sure that the plant gets full sunlight to have a bright yellow and flowering hedge.
On the other hand, if you want to reduce the growth of the forsythia bush, you should just reduce the amount of sunlight that it receives.
As mentioned, the plant needs around six hours of sunlight a day to grow at its maximum speed. If it receives less, you will notice a stark reduction in the growth of the forsythia.
Draining Soil
Furthermore, you need to understand that the forsythia should be grown in well-draining soil. If the soil does not drain properly, the growth of this plant is going to be affected significantly.
Most people don’t think twice before watering the soil. But, if the soil has been heavily compacted, there is a strong chance that it will become waterlogged.
Aerating the soil is a great way to make sure that it doesn’t become waterlogged too quickly. Ideally, after every few days, you should consider poking your finger into the soil to see if there are higher levels of moisture.
If you notice increased levels of moisture in the soil, it might be a wise idea to hold off with the watering.
If the soil is constantly waterlogged, you will notice a significant reduction in the growth rate of the plant as well. It is recommended that you take appropriate steps to aerate the soil, because constant waterlogging could cause the plant to die as well.
You have to make sure that you use loose soil or go for a potting mix that is generally airy and light. There are some other important things that you should know about growing the forsythia bush in your garden as well.
When Should You Plant?
It’s important to note that the forsythia bush can be grown at any time during the year, but if you want the plant to grow quicker, you should consider planting it during the fall season. This gives the plant enough time to grow properly before the plant begins to give off flowers during the first spring.
Keep in mind that the plant tends to enter a dormancy period during the harsh winter months, so you will notice a slight reduction in the rate of growth. However, it’s not a problem because as soon as the first snow begins to melt, the plant will continue to grow at its own pace.
By spring time, it will be of an appropriate size and you will notice the hedge giving off flowers very soon. One important thing that you should know about these bushes is that they tend to overgrow very quickly.
When you consider the shear rate at which these bushes tend to grow, it’s important to think about pruning as well.
Trimming and pruning the hedges on a regular basis is very important, otherwise the forsythia is going to take over the entire garden wall within a year or two. You don’t want that to happen, so it’s best if you prune the garden on your own, or call in a gardener for the job.
Watering the Forsythia
Once you have planted the forsythia, you also have to think about watering the plant regularly. Watering the forsythia is necessary to ensure that the roots take to the soil.
Once they have firmly gripped the ground and the roots begin to spread, you won’t really have to worry much about watering the plant.
But, if there is a long stretch of dry or hot weather, you will have to water the forsythia regularly. The best way to ensure that the plant is able to retain the moisture in the soil is to add mulch.
Mulching has long been used by gardeners as an excellent way to ensure that the soil is able to retain the moisture, and you should consider using this technique as well.
Remember, the plant doesn’t do well in dry or marshy soil, and it’s important that you pay attention to the makeup of the soil. It might be a wise idea to add a good helping of organic content into the soil, as that is going to improve the rate of growth and make sure that the soil drains out properly.
The forsythia bush is able to reach a maximum height of up to eight feet. If the plant gets adequate support, it is capable of growing even taller.
That is one of the main reasons why you should consider planting the forsythia bush in an area where it has considerable room.
The bush is going to spread in any direction depending on the level of support available, and you always have the option of redirecting its growth by pruning and trimming the plant on a regular basis.
These are just some of the main things that you should know about the forsythia bush and how quickly it grows.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.