Meadowlark Forsythia

There is nothing more welcome than these wonderful shrubs. Forsythia is a true harbinger of spring, blooming far earlier than other shrubs!

No matter where you live in the country, the outstanding Meadowlark Forsythia (Forsythia x 'Meadowlark') will perform beautifully for you. That includes the frigid Zones 3 - 5, where late frosts can wreck spring blooms.

This variety is a hybrid of the Forsythia ovata, which is also known as the Early Forsythia, Forsythia europaea, or Albanian Forsythia. You'll love the cold hardiness of its flower buds and its blooming ability when exposed to temperatures that are below zero!

It was developed in North Dakota, so you know it will reliably bloom year after year. You'll enjoy the bright yellow blooms in early spring, no matter what Mother Nature throws at your garden. Even the flower buds are hardy to Zone 3, unlike other Forsythia varieties which can be damaged at -5 degrees.

But, milder climate gardeners should also take a good look at the Meadowlark. It performs well wherever other Forsythia varieties thrive! And you'll love the compact, lush foliage all the way to the ground. Meadowlark never gets leggy, nor has bare stems peeking out at the base of the plant!

This fast-growing deciduous shrub produces a brilliant display of yellow flowers in the very early spring. Each arching branch is covered from top to bottom. The entire plant resembles a beautiful fountain, dripping with glowing color. In late winter, cut a few budded branches from the center of the shrub and bring them indoors. Keep them in a tall vase with water changed daily. You'll enjoy the age-old technique of forcing blooms indoors as the winter season winds down. Or snip the stems in spring for cut flower bouquets to break up winter's bleakness!

Another nice feature is that the summer leaves of the Meadowlark Forsythia are also improved and will not fade in the heat of the summer. You'll love the shape of this pretty plant, and the lush green foliage.

Planting and Application:

Meadowlark Forsythia is a nice dense flowering shrub and has a wide variety of usages in the landscape! It grows in full all the way down to the ground for ultimate privacy, screening, and fill. It easily provides cover for wildlife and makes a great barrier or windbreak plant. Birds seeking shelter and the earliest emerging beneficial pollinators flock to this spring nectar boon!

Use Forsythia shrubs on the sunny side of tall evergreen trees to brighten up the look, while the steady green of the evergreens acts as the perfect backdrop! They are a perfect foundation planting for a long side yard. Try repeating them along the length of your fence, or as a backdrop for a mixed shrub border. In fact, their arching branches look best in their informal natural, yet tidy form!

Plant 5 feet apart on center to create a solid hedge or screen. Measure from the center of one to the center of the next. Use a zig-zagging, staggered planting pattern to control erosion on slopes or banks. Mulch new mass plantings and keep them weeded until the Forsythia grow together.

Use a single, perfect specimen in the front lawn to dazzle passersby. You'll boost your curb appeal in a jiffy. Add Daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs. You'll create a fantastic Spring Garden focal point with minimal effort! Meadowlark Forsythia also creates a very noteworthy natural landmark.

This variety is often found in commercial plantings where its low maintenance nature and lack of pest and disease problems are greatly appreciated. Include Forsythia in mass plantings near your front entrance to direct traffic and attention to your business. The plant adapts well to city pollution and is often seen beside roadways. Imagine all the joy you'll be responsible for if you choose to plant a long hedge of Meadowlark Forsythia where everyone can enjoy it!

• Most Cold Hardy Forsythia Variety!
• Brilliant Yellow Blooms in Early Spring
• Vigorous Growth & Arching Branching
• Bring Branches Indoors in Late Winter to Force Blooms
• Hedges, Windbreaks, Shelterbelts, Spring Specimens & Privacy

#ProPlantTips for Care:

This beautiful ornamental flowering plant, Forsythia grows best in full sun and is adaptable to soil types, including alkaline! Select a location with any type of well-drained soil, as long as it's not saline. It performs best in alkaline soils with a pH of 5.5 to 8.0. Although Meadowlark is fairly drought tolerant once established, you should still plan to provide periodic supplemental water. This is especially important during extended periods of hot, dry weather. Give a good layer of mulch to keep the root systems cool and moist, especially in warm winter zones.

It is a fast grower and can be pruned to any desired size. Prune after flowering in the spring. Prune the perimeters to keep the plant within bounds, if needed at that time. You can also conduct a yearly hard prune on Meadowlark Forsythia to maintain plants in limited space. Cut to within a foot of the ground, and you'll see abundant new growth from the crown. For older plants, a renewal pruning every 3-5 years will help invigorate the shrub! To rejuvenate your Forsythia, simply remove several of the oldest, thickest canes down to the ground.

Bring in additional soil and mound it up 18 inches high to plant in. You'll want to give your new shrubs a fighting chance to establish themselves next to mature trees. A 3-4 inch thick layer of mulch all around the new shrubs to tie the look together and create a pretty garden bed.

• Laughs at Late Frosts In Full Sun
• Any Well-Drained Soil - Flourishes in Alkaline Conditions
• Moderate Moisture Needs & Appreciates Mulched Beds
• Prune After Flowering Only
• Easy Care & Disease Resistant

Order your Meadowlark Forsythia from the expert growers at Nature Hills today! You'll love seeing those spring blooms in your landscape, and so will all your neighbors. You'll delight in it each spring. Our expert growers will pack and ship direct from the fields to your doorstep. How fun to see your lovely plant arrive in its sturdy box.