It is a willowy, slightly
spreading flowering plant having fragrant, white Forsythia-type
flowers. The flowers grow in early spring before the new
leaves appear. The flowers are long about 1 com in length with a
four lobed corolla. The leaves grow to 1-2 m long. The leaves
are simple 6-10cm long and 3-4cm wide. The fruit is a round
winged samara and two to three cm in diameter.
To cultivate the plant keep it in full sun to light shade,
average soil; prune out old shoots to maintain vigor; space
3-4ft apart; fertilize once in early spring with 10-10-10. The
flowers Plant should be planted in a shrub border or
fragrance garden. Underplant with Scilla sibirica or species
Crocus for a lovely early spring display. The shrub has average
water needs. Water it regularly but do not over water.
There are no notable pests or diseases. Blossoms may be nipped
by late frosts, so try to site the shrub where late-winter
warmth won't encourage it to bloom too early. Usually flowers
grow within a year or two of planting. The rate of growth varies
from slow (12inches or less a year) to fast (25inches or more a
year) depending on the situation.
The propagation methods to be followed in the case of
Abeliophyllum are from softwood cuttings to semi hardwood
cuttings and by simple layering.
The Soil pH requirements are-5.6 to 6.0 (acidic, 6.1 to 6.5
(mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly
alkaline)
Did you know?
• White forsythia or Korean
Abelea-leaf (Abeliophyllum distichum) was first described in
1919 by Professor Takenoshin Nakai.
• The only species in its
genus, white forsythia is not a true forsythia, but it is a
member of the olive family, as is forsythia.
• In 1937 it received the
Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
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