Snow Forsythia ∗ The 10 best care and planting tips

Origin and Distribution

Despite the name, the Snow Forsythia (bot. Abeliophyllum distichum) does not belong to the genus of Forsythia, but is the only species of the plant genus Abeliophyllum. As such, it belongs to the olive family (Oleaceae) and is associated with the yellow garden plant, which is much better known in this country.Forsythia related. Abeliophyllum distichum is also found in its natural habitats, rocky areas in far-away South Korea meanwhile it has become rare - one more reason to use the splendid spring-blooming shrub in gardens plants. Here it enchants the viewer not only with its lush white flowers, but also with an aromatic almond scent.

use

The snow forsythia remains a very delicate shrub that can be planted very well as a solitary in small gardens or in the front yard. It can also be kept on the balcony or terrace, provided the wood is planted in a sufficiently large tub. Furthermore, the fast-growing shrub is also very suitable for a hedge, for example together with native wild shrubs or yellow forsythias.

As a container plant, the snow forsythia decorates the main entrance of your house or - set up as a trellis - forms a kind of privacy screen on the terrace. In the garden, the shrub comes before evergreen trees such as a yew or Box hedge comes into its own, because its dark green foliage really sets the white flowers in Scene. In the spring, the snow forsythia finally blooms with a carpet of yellow crocuses planted in front of it Daffodils and / or blue grape hyacinths.

Appearance and stature

The snow forsythia is a rather dainty shrub that can grow to a maximum of two meters high and just as wide. The species grows comparatively slowly, as it only adds between ten and 30 centimeters of new growth each year. In older specimens, the twigs and branches hang over, which ultimately gives the wood a picturesque appearance.

leaves

The foliage of the snow forsythia is deciduous, i. H. the shrub sheds its leaves in autumn. During this time of year the leaves turn yellow to reddish. The new shoots only take place after flowering. The strong dark green leaves sit on short petioles opposite to the branches. The leaf blade is oval to lanceolate in shape and can be up to five centimeters long. Both leaf sides are finely haired.

Blossoms and flowering period

Like the yellow forsythia, the snow forsythia heralds spring with an impressive display of flowers: the numerous white bells usually appear between March and May, but in climatically mild regions they can appear as early as January to flourish. The shrub bewitches with its abundant abundance of flowers on countless small, white or delicate pink flowers. These are five-fold and a maximum of one centimeter in size. The intense almond scent attracts many insects, with the shrub especially the ones that often fly very early in the year Bumblebees is interesting as a source of food.

fruit

After flowering, numerous round wing nuts between two and three centimeters in size develop. They are flat-shaped and each carry two seeds in a bag. These in turn ripen in summer.

Toxicity

In contrast to the slightly poisonous garden forsythia, the snow forsythia is considered non-toxic. Nevertheless, both the flowers and the fruits are inedible.

Which location is suitable?

The easy-care snow forsythia feels particularly at home in a location that is as sunny as possible and sheltered from the wind, but also thrives well in light shade - the species is considered adaptable. Plant Abeliophyllum distichum in such a way that the shrub comes into its own, especially during flowering.

floor

With regard to the soil, snow forsythia are also quite adaptable, only strongly compacted, permanently moist substrates and waterlogging should be avoided. However, the shrub gets along best with humus rich, nutrient-rich and well-drained soil. Since the plant is also sensitive to lime, the soil should be as low in lime as possible. Upgrade sandy, rather barren soil with compost, but gravel or sand can be used to make it more permeable. On the other hand, a dry surface is unsuitable.

Plant snow forsythia properly

The best date for planting the snow forsythia is a frost-free, mild day in spring when the ground is already nice and loose and no longer frozen. Alternatively, planting in autumn is also possible. It is best to place the shrub in the ground or as a solitary plant. keep a planting distance of at least one meter to neighboring plants. On the one hand, the snow forsythia can become quite expansive over the years, and on the other hand, its beauty comes into its own this way. The planting distance can only be smaller when planting a hedge, here you plant up to two plants per meter.

And this is how the snow forsythia is set in the ground:

• Select a suitable location
• Place the root ball in a bucket of water
• Dig a sufficiently large planting hole
• should be twice as wide and twice as deep as the root ball
• Fill in a drainage layer of gravel or sand
• Mix the excavated material with compost
• Use snow forsythia
• Fill in soil and press down well
• water abundantly

So that the soil does not dry out so quickly, especially in a sunny location, you can then use the root area mulch. The mulch layer keeps the moisture in the soil and makes it easier for the plant to grow.

Watering snow forsythia

Freshly planted snow forsythias should be watered in dry weather so that the shrub takes root better and does not suffer any drought damage. If, on the other hand, the plant is well rooted and established in its location, the occasional rain is usually sufficient. Now only water during a prolonged period of drought. Specimens cultivated in pots also need a regular water supply. Use only water with little lime in the form of rainwater or well stale tap water.

Fertilize snow forsythia properly

If the snow forsythia is on humus soil and has already been supplied with compost when it was planted, further fertilization is not necessary. You should only provide the shrub with compost between spring and autumn on poor soil. Bucket specimens are fertilized every two weeks between April and October with a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants.

Properly cut snow forsythia

While the yellow-flowered garden forsythia should be pruned annually, regular pruning of the slower-growing snow forsythia is basically not necessary. It is sufficient here if you prune the shrub about every two to three years. Of the Clearance cut ensures that the plant retains its shape and does not perish. It is best to use it after flowering Secateurs, because the flowers of the coming year will be laid on the annual wood in autumn. Pruning too late can therefore deprive you of the blossoms. Cut all shoots back about a third to a well-formed bud. In the event of an illness, radical pruning may sometimes be necessary, which the snow forsythia usually tolerates well.

Propagate snow forsythia

In principle, the snow forsythia can be propagated very easily using cuttings or subsidence. For a sinker, select a strong shoot that grows close to the ground in late summer and scratch it with a sharp knife. Dig a small hole under the bush and place the shoot with the scored point in it. Cover the hole and shoot with soil and weigh both down, for example with a stone. Tie the protruding shoot tip vertically upwards so that the young plant has a pleasing growth habit. In the next spring, the part of the shoot covered with soil should have developed its own roots so that you can separate the sinker from the mother plant and plant it separately.

To propagate cuttings, cut the desired number of strong shoots about ten to 15 centimeters long after flowering. Remove the leaves in the lower half of the branches and plant them separately in with Potting soil filled pots. Place the planters in a warm and bright location and keep the substrate evenly moist. After the cuttings have developed their own roots, they can be planted outdoors the following spring.

Overwinter

Since the snow forsythia is sufficiently hardy even in our climate, protective measures are only necessary in exceptional cases. For example, late frosts can freeze the blossoms, which is why you have announced Lowest temperatures Buds and flowering shoots of the shrub overnight with jute or gardening fleece should envelop. Snow forsythia kept in pots also need winter protection or protection. In any case, it is best to overwinter cool, but frost-free and bright in the house or winter garden.

Diseases and pests

The robust snow forsythia is rarely attacked by diseases or pests. Nevertheless, it is of course not immune from this, especially waterlogging or permanently damp soil can lead to infections.

Species and varieties

Various varieties of the widespread yellow garden forsythia are known, but only this species is occasionally offered in stores of the currently rare snow forsythia. Incidentally, there are no crossings between the two species, as they are different genera despite all the similarities.