Forsythia and winter jasmine

[Paul mabbott]

Every autum/winter people used to write in saying how early the Forsythia was flowering, then someone would say, 'It's not Forsythia, it's Jasminum nudiflorum'. I once took the latter attitude except that when I went out and looked I could always find a Forsythia flowering in November.

Today, walking by a park, there was a Forsythia in flower (oh yes it was, flowers and leaves look right). It's the only one, of many in the neighbourhood, in bloom. To add to this, I've just been in the garden and found our winter-flowering jasmine in bloom; is this a record? Certainly is for our garden.

Getting back to the Forsythia - are there many different species or hybrids of Forsythia planted in this country? Would that explain these weird, early autumn flowerings?

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Getting back to the Forsythia - are there many different species or hybrids of Forsythia planted in this country? Would that explain these weird, early autumn flowerings?

I think most garden specimens are forms of the hybrid Forsythia intermedia, although there are other cultivars/species. My observation is that Forsythia flowering is quite strongly linked to pruning - time of year and extent - and my guess would be that the difference in flowering time Autumn/Spring is to do with how/when individual plants have been pruned rather than difference between species/cultivars.

CM

[Dorts]

There are will over a hundred species of Forsythia, also many hybrids and varieties. As CM has said Forsythia x intermedia is a very commonly grown hybrid; as is the Weeping Forsythia - Forsythia suspensa var. sieboldii . Even within named varieties, colour and flower size will vary. If you see a plant you like, the best way to get one exactly the same is to take a cutting, they 'take' very readily.
Dorts.

[Paul mabbott]

Earlier flowering this year? The Jasminum nudiflorum in our garden has been flowering for at least a week and, walking up the street today, I see a neighbour's Forsythia in bloom!

[artdemole]

Forsythia trimmed hard will flower in Autumn.

[elleme]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

Earlier flowering this year? The Jasminum nudiflorum in our garden has been flowering for at least a week and, walking up the street today, I see a neighbour's Forsythia in bloom!

Same here with the winter jasmine in my garden which has a scattering of open flowers on it. The forsythia also has a couple of flower buds nearly open. It's flowered a tiny bit in autumn before. I trim it back a bit every year but asap after flowering has finished.

[paddy]

Would this be every year or just this strange one? I've had a Graham Thomas honeysuckle start flowering again late September, plus Weigela Bristol Ruby and Escallonia Cherry Blossom. There's simultaneous flowering, fruiting and budding going on at the moment.... Still loads of Ruddy Darters around the pond, a female Migrant Hawker on Sunday. Almost expecting to see tadpoles.....