Happy Spring!

This past Monday was the first day of spring. Here in West Michigan, we’ve been enjoying slightly warmer weather for this first week of spring. Spring flowers are just around the corner! To celebrate, I’m going to tell you about a springtime classic – Forsythia. We could all use some cheery yellow flowers after a dreary winter!

It’s OK to Show Off

Show Off® Forsythia have better flower displays than other varieties and nice compact habits that don’t take up room in the landscape the rest of the year. If you’re going to have a plant that adds something to the landscape for only a couple of weeks, you might as well make it the best couple of weeks you can. 

There are three plants in the Show Off® series, the original Show Off®, Show Off® Starlet, and Show Off® Sugar Baby. All are hardy to USDA Zone 5 and will grow in full sun or partial shade. The original Show Off® Forsythia is the largest of the series, growing to 5’-6’ tall, making it the best option for those who want to cut branches to force inside.

Some Respect for Forsythia

Forsythia is a very functional plant. Deer-resistant and durable. It will tolerate clay soil, black walnut, and generally lousy conditions, including urban sites. It’s a great gateway plant for the beginning gardener. 

The only tricky thing can be flowering. Don’t prune it in the fall. Gardeners in colder climates may see flowers only below the snow line because uninsulated buds get damaged by cold temperatures. Compact varieties like Show Off® will have a better bloom display because the flowers are protected by snow over winter. Show Off®’s flowers run from base to tip, so you get a really nice full display.

Which Show Off® Forsythia is right for you?

Check out the video below, where Stacey highlights the features of each of our Show Off® Forsythia.