March 2025
White Forsythia
Abeliaphyllum distichum
When I hear the common name “Forsythia,” I often picture a medium-sized shrub covered in bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers. The “White Forsythia” has similar small, white bell-shaped blooms, though I must admit, it’s not as showy as its more popular cousin.
White Forsythia is a deciduous shrub that grows about 5 feet tall and wide, with a scraggly, open form that can look a bit unkempt. However, its early spring blooms make it stand out when few other plants are in flower. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and any average garden soil. Due to its rangy nature, it benefits from being cut back to the ground every 3 to 4 years to keep it looking its best.
A member of the olive family, like the true forsythia, White Forsythia was first discovered in Korea and made its way to North America in 1955.
Come visit us at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks! Our White Forsythia is in bloom now, and you can see a beautiful specimen on the east side of the main building.
Berni Kurz
Director of Horticulture
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks
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