Border Forsythia Forsythia × intermedia Week End = 'Courtalyn'

Water

Border forsythias, such as the Week End variety, generally require regular watering, especially during their first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Once established, they can tolerate occasional drought, but they should still be watered deeply once a week in the absence of rainfall. Provide about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water weekly during the growing season, but adjust as necessary based on weather conditions; hot, dry spells may necessitate additional watering. During the winter, watering can be reduced, as the plant's water requirements decrease.

Light

Border forsythia thrives best in full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. For optimal growth and flowering, plant it in a location that receives unfiltered sunlight for most of the day. While it can tolerate partial shade, flowering may not be as profuse. Avoid deeply shaded areas, as this can hinder the plant's performance.

Temperature

Border forsythia plants are hardy and can withstand a range of temperatures, from winter lows of about -10°F to high summer temperatures well into the 90s°F. They are best suited to USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8. Ideal growing temperatures are between 60°F and 75°F, but they are quite adaptable and can survive occasional temperature fluctuations beyond these ranges.

Pruning

Pruning border forsythia should be done to shape the plant, remove any dead or damaged branches, and to encourage vigorous growth. It’s best to prune immediately after the forsythia has finished flowering in late spring. This allows time for new growth to develop during the summer, which will be the wood that blooms the following season. Thin out older stems and cut back overly long ones, but avoid heavy pruning more than once a year.

Cleaning

Not needed

Soil

Border Forsythia thrives in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A good soil mix can be created using equal parts of garden soil, compost, and peat or sand to improve drainage. Mulching helps retain moisture and maintain soil temperature.

Repotting

Border Forsythia typically doesn't need frequent repotting when planted in the ground, but container-grown plants may need repotting every few years to refresh the soil.

Humidity & Misting

Border Forsythia is adaptable to various humidity levels and does well in average outdoor conditions without the need for specific humidity requirements.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.

• Outdoor

  Plant in a sunny spot, mulch well, and protect from strong winds.

• Hardiness zone

  5-8 USDA

Life cycle

Forsythia × intermedia Week End = 'Courtalyn', commonly known as Border Forsythia, begins its life cycle as a dormant seed that requires stratification to germinate, typically after a cold winter period. After germination in the spring, the seedling grows rapidly, developing into a woody, deciduous shrub. By its second or third year, the Forsythia reaches its flowering stage, where bright yellow flowers bloom before the leaves emerge, usually in early spring. Following flowering, the leaves expand and the plant enters a period of vegetative growth throughout the summer, where it photosynthesizes and accumulates resources. In autumn, the leaves turn yellow and fall off as the plant enters dormancy to survive the winter. The cycle repeats each spring, with the plant able to live for several decades, continuing to grow in size and spread through new shoots that emerge around the base of the mature shrub.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Late Winter - Early Spring

• Propogation: The most popular method of propagation for Forsythia × intermedia Week End, commonly known as border forsythia, is through softwood cuttings. This technique is typically undertaken in late spring to early summer, when new growth is still flexible but starting to mature. A gardener would select healthy, non-flowering shoots and cut segments roughly 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 cm) long, making the cut just below a leaf node. The leaves on the lower half of the cutting are removed to expose the nodes, as these areas are where roots are most likely to emerge. The base of the cutting is then dipped in rooting hormone powder or gel to encourage root development and planted in a potting mixture of moistened soil and perlite or vermiculite. The pot should be placed in a warm, bright area out of direct sunlight, and the soil kept consistently moist until roots develop, after which the new forsythia plant can be transplanted outdoors.