Bronx Forsythia
Forsythia viridissima 'Bronxensis'
Height: 12 inches
Spread: 3 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 4b
Other Names: Greenstem Forsythia
Description:
A popular low mounded shrub, commonly used as a groundcover; features showy soft yellow flowers in early spring along the leafless branches, compact habit of growth the rest of the year; good for mass plantings
Ornamental Features
Bronx Forsythia features showy lemon yellow bell-shaped flowers along the branches in early spring before the leaves. The flowers are excellent for cutting. It has lime green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color.
Landscape Attributes
Bronx Forsythia is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a ground-hugging habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Bronx Forsythia is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- Border Edging
- General Garden Use
- Groundcover
- Container Planting
Planting & Growing
Bronx Forsythia will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.
This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.
Bronx Forsythia makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.