Sunday, March 16, 2008

Forsythia: The Early Herald of Spring in Itawamba County

Forsythia is profusely blooming in Itawamba County at the present and is one of the first flowering plants to transform the drab Mississippi late-winter landscape into a showy palate of vibrant yellow. This showy shrub is one of the first colorful signs of the coming of Easter and Spring.

Forsythia - called Golden Rods by some, has been a popular garden shrub in Itawamba County for generations simply because of its tolerance and ease of propagation. Gardeners can cut a branch and simply push the branch into the soil. After a good dose of water, a new shrub will usually start on its own with no special worry or care.

Introduced in America from the Orient shortly after 1900, Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the Oleaceae (olive) family. There are about eleven species.

The genus is named in honor of William Forsyth. Forsyth (1737-1804). was born near Aberdeen, Scotland, but moved to London and became the gardener at Syon Park. During 1784 Forsyth was appointed Superintendent of the gardens of St James’s and Kensington Palaces. During 1802 he published a "Treatise on the Culture and Management of Fruit Trees."



Forsythia Photograph by Bob Franks

William Forsyth image courtesy of Wikipedia

1 comment:

Terry Thornton said...

Bob, Your article reminded me to go outside to determine if my Forsythia is blooming --- it is.

Last summer during the middle of the drought, a Forsythia plant was left at my back door --- never figured out who had dug it up nor where! It had been there a couple of days without soil or water and was in sad shape. I dug a hole, trimmed it back fairly severe, watered it --- and it took off. It was in such bad distress I never thought it would live out the summer --- but survive it did and it currently blooming. The yellow shrub is one of my favorites.

Enjoyed your article and photograph very much
TERRY