Forsythia intermedia Lynwood

Forsythia x intermedia 'Lynwood' is a popular variety known for its generous size and spectacular floribundity. It forms a deciduous bush of medium size with upright branches, covered from February with tight clusters of large, very bright yellow flowers. The oblong leaves, a dark green matte colour, appear later and are larger in this variety. In autumn, its leaves turn yellow with violet spots. Its exceptional vigour and fairly rapid growth make it perfect for creating beautiful hedges or planting at the back of winter beds in large gardens. Hardy and undemanding, it is a classic bush for our gardens and its cultivation is truly accessible to everyone, even gardening novices.

Forsythia x intermedia 'Lynwood' is a deciduous bush belonging to the Oleaceae family. It descends from a spontaneous hybrid resulting from two species native to China, Forsythia suspensa and F. viridissima. Forsythia is an easy-going bush that thrives in any well-drained soil, even clayey or calcareous, and a sunny to semi-shaded exposure. Its bright early flowering announces the arrival of spring.

It will reach an average size of 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in all directions, showing from the start an upright and dense habit. 'Lynwood' provides a true spring spectacle from February to March, before the appearance of its foliage. Its one-year-old and older branches are particularly floriferous: they are literally covered with numerous bell-shaped flowers measuring 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter, grouped in tight clusters along the branches. Each flower has 4 petals and stamens of a bright and luminous yellow around a small red throat. Flowering is followed by the appearance of the foliage. The leaves of this variety are a dark green colour from spring to summer, before turning orange and violet in autumn. These are long pointed leaves measuring 10 cm to 12 cm (3.9 in to 4.7 in) in length, with dentate edges.

Forsythia x intermedia 'Lynwood' is perfectly hardy, low-maintenance and very easy to care for. It grows in any sufficiently deep soil and under most climates. This particularly ornamental variety suits gardens of all sizes. It can be planted in a large shrub bed or in a flowering hedge, along with Japanese quinces, Japanese kerrias, Cotinus (Cotinus coggygria 'Lilla'), or even with mahonias, lilacs, mock oranges, Berberis, and many others according to the tastes of each gardener. In early December, cut a branch or two and put them in a vase so they will bloom in time for Christmas.