Add Some Cheer to Your Garden with a Mature Forsythia Bush

As winter fades and the first hints of spring start to emerge, one of the most welcome sights is the vibrant yellow blooms of forsythia bushes. Known for being one of the earliest flowering shrubs forsythias provide a pop of color and signal that warmer weather is on the way. If you’re looking to add a mature forsythia bush to your garden this year read on to learn all about these classic spring-blooming shrubs and where to find mature plants for sale.

An Overview of Forsythia Bushes

Forsythias are deciduous shrubs that are part of the Oleaceae family, which also includes lilacs and olive trees There are about 11 species of forsythia, but most popular garden varieties are hybrids of Forsythia suspensa and F viridissima. These fast-growing shrubs can reach 8-10 feet in height and spread 10-12 feet wide.

Forsythias are prized for being one of the earliest flowering shrubs, often blooming in late winter or early spring before most other plants. The blooms appear on bare branches, covering the plant in cheerful yellow flowers before the leaves emerge. This provides an exciting pop of color when most gardens are still dormant.

In addition to the vibrant flowers, forsythias offer other desirable qualities:

• Fast, vigorous growth
• Withstand cold winters and heat
• Tolerate most soil types
• Resistant to pests and disease
• Low maintenance

Their hardiness, early flowers, and bright color make them a garden favorite. Forsythias are most often used as foundation plants, hedges, and mass plantings. They can be pruned and shaped as needed.

The Appeal of a Mature Forsythia

When shopping for forsythia bushes, many gardeners seek out mature plants instead of small starters. A mature forsythia offers immediate impact, allowing you to enjoy those yellow blooms the first spring after planting. Other benefits of starting with a more established shrub include:

• Larger initial presence and fuller shape
• Blooms more abundantly in the first couple years
• Less time spent waiting for the plant to reach mature size
• Developed root system for quick establishment
• Less maintenance like staking required

For many gardens, a mature forsythia bush makes the most sense to maximize the spring floral display right away.

Where to Find Mature Forsythia Plants for Sale

When looking for a source of mature forsythia bushes for sale, you have a couple options:

Local Garden Nurseries

Visit retail and wholesale nurseries in your area to see their selection of mature shrubs. A benefit of purchasing locally is you can personally inspect plants before buying them. However, selection is often limited based on what that particular nursery propagates.

Online Nurseries

Ordering mature forsythia bushes from online nurseries gives you access to a broader inventory. Reputable online sellers offer detailed information on plant sizes and ages, and ship the shrubs directly to your door. Make sure to shop early, as stock of more mature plants is limited.

Two recommended options for buying mature forsythia bushes online:

• Cold Stream Farm Nursery – This mail order nursery offers the Lynwood Gold Forsythia, with a height of 4-5 feet at maturity. Their plants are shipped as 2-3 foot bare root shrubs.

• Arbor Day Foundation – Through their online tree nursery, you can purchase 3 gallon potted forsythia bushes reaching 3-4 feet tall at the time of shipment.

When buying online, factor in shipping costs and logistics. Make sure to shop early before stock sells out.

Planting and Caring for Your Mature Forsythia

Once your new mature forsythia bush arrives, proper planting and care will ensure it thrives in your landscape for years of beauty. Here are some tips:

• Select a site with full to part sun and well-drained soil. Forsythias tolerate most soil types.

• Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and slightly shallower. For bare root plants, create a mound in the center to spread roots over.

• Place the shrub in the hole, positioning it at the same depth as grown in the nursery. Backfill with native soil, watering thoroughly.

• Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Keep mulch a few inches from the stems.

• Water regularly during the first year, especially during droughts. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant.

• Prune immediately after flowering by removing old wood and shaping as desired. Forsythias bloom on one-year old wood.

• Apply a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring.

With proper siting and care, a mature forsythia will thrive for years of spectacular yellow spring blooms. The vibrant flowers bring cheer after winter and signal warmer days ahead.

Add Cheery Forsythia to Your Yard This Spring

Few shrubs rival the early exuberance of forsythia with their bursts of golden yellow flowers. If you don’t already have these spring-blooming beauties, consider adding a mature forsythia bush this year for instant impact. Take advantage of early season sales at local and online nurseries to find top-quality plants that will give you abundant flowers right away. Soon you’ll be enjoying this classic garden staple as a sign that winter is over and brighter days have arrived.