Forsythia europaea
European forsythia, Golden bell
- Height × spread
- 2m × 1.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This forsythia is a bit of an oddity. It is the only European species and, according to St Andrew's Botanical Garden, "a geographical oddity [that] is botanically interesting". To some people's taste, forsythias are just a bit too bright and brash, and this one, if you can find it, is pleasing in a more low key way. It is a sturdy shrub with an upright growth habit which comes into its own when it produces its yellow flowers, with noticeably large anthers during April. It has small dark green leaves, ovate in shape and carried on light brown twiggy looking wood. It stands around 1.5m (5ft) high with an equivalent spread.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Brown
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 2m
- Spread
- 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Hedge, Structural, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Walls
- North, East facing
- Deer
- May be damaged by deer, especially when young
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Prune after flowering
When the plant has flowered, cut all the flowered shoots back to healthy buds that are lower on the stems. When the plant is established, take out a quarter of the oldest branches to the ground at this time.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Hedges · Planting
Suitable for formal "cube hedges"
The hedge can be clipped to make a formal cube or rectangle. You will then get a block of uniform yellow colour while the hedge is in flower.
Found in
More Forsythia
Forsythia x intermedia 'Goldrausch'
Border forsythia
Forsythia x intermedia 'Lynwood Variety'
Golden bell, Border forsythia
Forsythia x intermedia 'Spectabilis'
Golden bell, Border forsythia
Forsythia x intermedia Minigold = 'Flojor'
Golden bell, Border forsythia
Forsythia x intermedia Weekend = 'Courtalyn'
Golden bell, Border forsythia
Forsythia
Forsythia 'Beatrix Farrand'
Golden bell
Forsythia 'Fiesta'
Variegated forsythia