Forsythia Hedging Plants Description
Forsythia is known for being a tough and reliable hedging plant that creates a dense, strong hedge in sunny or partially shaded conditions. Its beautiful flowers will start to bloom in spring, just before its vivid green leaves appear. During the autumn, the leaves will start to turn a vibrant red, so if you like to watch the change in seasons, there is no better hedge plant than Forsythia.
Forsythia hedging grows by up to 40cm per year, so you will need to keep it in check with some light maintenance, if you'd like to neaten it up. It's a vigorous grower, but if looked after correctly, it's a truly stunning plant. Forsythia should be pruned once its blooms start to fade, but before they die off completely. In springtime, old branches should be removed to allow more light into the shrub, allowing it to grow new, manageable shoots. For more pruning information, please see the pruning advice tab.
Hedges Direct sells pot-grown Forsythia all year round, or as bare root hedging plants from November until spring. If you'd like to find more flowering hedge plants to complement your Forsythia, we have a wide range available.
You’ll see our recommended planting densities for each size and root type listed next to the products below. We suggest that you use these as a guide, taking into consideration how long you’re willing to wait to see your finished hedge. As a rough indication bare roots can be planted at anything from 3 to 7 per metre and cell grown between 4 and 6 - the higher densities here would need to be planted in a double staggered row or zig-zag.
For more information on planting distances please see our
planting density advice section. Prices shown are the price per plant unless otherwise stated.
Forsythia should be trimmed in spring as the blooms begin to fade as the growth from this point onwards provides the wood on which next year's blooms will form. Pruning again later in the year will then reduce the number of blooms the following year.
Forsythia by its nature is quite an informal arching, flowing hedge and whilst it can be trimmed into a neat hedge, it is most likely not going to have the level of flower production that a more natural shaping would encourage.
Ideally, once the blooms begin to fade away, prune back around a quarter of the length from all stems, shaping it as desired and then leave to grow naturally.
Every other year, to ensure that enough light gets into the centre of the shrub to keep it healthy and productive and sneding out new fresh shoots, cut about a quarter of the older more established stems right back to ground level from the centre of the shrub.
When carrying out any pruning on Forsythia always remove any damaged or diseased stems or those that may be crossing each other which will prevent proper upward growth. Also take out any stems that are bending over close to the ground.
If you inherit an old, overgrown Forsythia that isn't looking its best, there is good news! Forsythia once mature, can tolerate an exceptionally hard prune so it's best in this instance to cut all the stems right back to around 4 inches from the ground. This may seem brutal, but it allows a lot of light into the centre of the plant and forces brand new manageable growth out. It may take a couple of years before it looks full again but it will be worth the effort!
Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:
| Packaging Type | Standard Delivery Charge | Minimum Order Values (incl VAT) for FREE Delivery |
|---|
| Standard Boxes (Bare roots up to 1.2m tall and pots up to and incl. 7.5L) | £7.99 delivery charge (orders up to £100 incl VAT) | Orders of £100 and over - FREE |
| Tall Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m and over) | £14.99 delivery charge (orders up to £100 incl VAT) | Orders of £100 and over - FREE |
| Pallets (Root balls, large pots (10L+), trees etc) | £60.00 delivery charge (orders up to £350 incl VAT) | Orders of £350 and over - FREE |
| Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | £450.00 delivery charge (orders up to £1500 incl VAT) | Orders of £1500 and over - FREE |
There are some exceptions to the standard delivery pricing structure, which relate to deliveries to more remote areas, overseas, or extremely tall or large plants requiring specialist delivery - for more information see the Delivery Information Page. (Please note that due to new Brexit rules, we are currently unable to export to both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.).
Delivery Time - Please note that delivery times are currently 3-7 days excluding bank holidays. *Some troughs and trees may take up to 14 days delivery. We are working through existing orders as quickly as possible to deliver new orders within this timescale.
It's Convenient - no need to wait in all day to sign, we don't need a signature (the odd, larger order may require a signature but will be delivered at a mutually agreeable time).
It's Tried & Tested - we use only couriers who have shown consistency in their efficiency & care.
* Please note that delivery costs are based on the final order amount in your cart after any discounts have been applied.
Hedges Direct 12 Month Plant Guarantee
Our plants are guaranteed for 12 months after delivery subject to specific criteria. Visit our Hedges Direct Plant Guarantee Page for full details.
Nominated Day Delivery
Choose a delivery day that suits you with our new Nominated Day Delivery option at checkout. Whilst our standard no signature delivery means you don't need to take time away from other committments to receive your order, we understand that there are times our customers want to make sure they are present to accept delivery, either to plant straight away or to store somewhere safe and out of the way until you're ready to plant.
For an additional fee, you can make sure that your order arrives on the exact day you want it. Please note that this is additional charge to all qualifying orders, including those above the free delivery threshold for Standard Delivery.
Our Nominated Day Delivery is available year-round on the weekdays Tuesdays to Fridays, excluding the day after any bank holiday.
Some products are sent direct from our suppliers and as such are not available for Nominated Day Delivery. These include:- Cell Grown Hedging Plants- Instant Trough Grown Hedging Plants- Instant Hedging Screens- Premium Root Balls (250cm and above in height)- Turf
To book your Nominated Day Delivery for farther ahead than the 3 week window available online, please contact our Sales & Advice team to discuss your options.
-Flowers-Close-up.jpg "Forsythia")
-Hedge-in-garden.jpg "Fosythia (Forsythia Spectabilis Lynwood) Hedge in garden")
-Green-Leaves.jpg "Fosythia (Forsythia Spectabilis Lynwood) Green Leaves")
-Yellow-Flowers.jpg "Fosythia (Forsythia Spectabilis Lynwood) Yellow Flowers")
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