Forsythia bushes are one of the harbingers of spring, bursting into sunny golden blooms while much of the landscape is still waking up from winter. Their bright flowers bring cheer after the long cold months, signaling that warmer weather is coming. These easy to grow shrubs have been garden classics for over a century, beloved for their toughness, versatility, and sheer flower power.
If you are looking to add some mature forsythia bushes to your yard or garden, you have plenty of options. Getting older, larger plants can give you a dramatic display much faster than starting with young ones. But where can you find nice, mature bushes for sale? Here are some of the best sources to get thriving, mature forsythia plants delivered right to your door.
Mail Order Nurseries Offer Mature Forsythia Plants
Reputable online nurseries are a great option for finding fully grown forsythia bushes for your yard or garden borders. The plants are generally a few years old already so you get instant impact the first spring after planting. Many mail order nurseries have a wide selection of mature forsythia cultivars to choose from.
When ordering mature shrubs online pay attention to the pot size or container type. 1-2 gallon pots and #3 containers will have nicely sized plants that make an impact right away. Bare root plants are another option, and while they may look small when dormant bare root shrubs are actually a year or two old already.
Order early in the season to get the best selection. Popular varieties like Show Off and Lynwood Gold tend to sell out fast. Reputable online nurseries only ship at the right planting times for your area.
Visit Local Nurseries for Mature Forsythia Options
Your local independent or retail nurseries are another good source for mature forsythia bushes. Visit in early spring to see what they have in stock and get first pick before they sell out.
The benefit of buying locally is you can see exactly what you are getting and pick out the individual plants you want. Inspect them for good branching, healthy foliage, and abundant flower buds. Also check that the roots are not pot bound or root bound.
Many local nurseries carry a few forsythia varieties, but may have a limited selection. Specialty nurseries will have the widest selection of mature sizes and cultivars.
Check Garden Centers for Older Potted Forsythia
Home improvement stores and other garden centers usually carry a nice selection of flowering shrubs like forsythia. However, their stock is often limited to younger plants in smaller pots. But it’s still possible to find some larger, more mature options.
Scope out their selection in early spring to find the biggest and oldest plants they have in stock. Anything in a 3-5 gallon pot or larger will make an impact right away when planted. Avoid plants that are rootbound or look overgrown for their pots.
The selection may be hit or miss, but big box stores do get shipments of larger plants at times. Check back periodically, as their stock changes regularly. You may luck out and find just what you’re looking for.
Work With Local Landscapers or Nurseries
If you are looking for a large number of mature forsythia or want truly instant landscape impact, consider working with local nurseries or landscapers. Many growers and landscaping companies keep a stock of older shrubs and trees to use in their projects.
Connect with local nursery professionals and let them know you are looking for a quantity of mature forsythia bushes. They may be able to put aside plants they dig from their fields or grow some to the size you need.
This option requires more planning and lead time, but is great for large installations like hedges, screens, or foundation plantings. You get fully grown, mature plants ready make a bold statement right after planting.
Check Out Classified Listings For Mature Forsythia
Don’t overlook classified ads and marketplace listings as a source for mature landscape plants. Homeowners sometimes remove or thin out shrubs and will post them for sale locally.
Browse classifieds online or in print to find forsythia and other plants priced to sell. Arrange a time to see the plants with the seller so you can dig them up or have them delivered.
The selection will be limited but you may find just what you are looking for at a great price. And purchasing from local sellers helps plants stay in area landscapes.
How to Care For and Plant Your New Mature Forsythia
Once you’ve found some nice, big forsythia bushes, proper planting, care and pruning will keep them thriving. Here are some tips for success with your new mature plants:
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Carefully dig up and move plants to avoid damage to branches and roots. Or have them delivered and plant right away.
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Give mature plants plenty of space for good air flow and growth. Space multiple plants 5-10 feet apart depending on variety.
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Prepare planting holes wide and deep enough to accommodate the entire root system. Set plants at original soil level.
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Water thoroughly after planting and cover area with mulch. Continue regular watering the first year.
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Prune back any damaged branches, shape as needed. Remove a few oldest stems at ground level to rejuvenate.
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Apply general purpose fertilizer each spring. But avoid high nitrogen fertilizers that drive excessive growth.
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Sit back and enjoy the glowing floral display each spring. Mature plants will give a fantastic first bloom.
With some planning and searching, you can find gorgeous, mature forsythia bushes to bring instant springtime charm to your landscape. The golden blooms of large, health plants are sure to bring a smile after a long winter. Do your homework and get your hands on mature forsythia bushes for an unforgettable spring display this year.
How Far Apart Do I Plant a Forsythia Hedge?
Space your Forsythia hedge so the ends of these fast-growing shrubs touch and grow together. Create a solid screen by subtracting 1 foot from the smallest number listed for mature spread.
Each cultivar is different, so be sure to check the mature spread on the Plant Highlights section of the product page. The lush, ovate leaves and dense branching make Forsythia a great choice to use as a hedge or screening plant.
Measure from the center of one to the center of the next. You can also stagger a double row if you want really fast results.
Show Off® Sugar Baby® makes a great low forsythia hedge along your front walkway. Pair them with a second row from the Potentilla family and youll relish the fantastic forsythia flower power further into the season.
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Forsythia Shrubs for sale
FAQ
When should I buy forsythia plants?
The best time to plant forsythia is during the fall or early spring.
How fast does a forsythia bush grow?
Some smaller forsythia varieties only stand a couple of feet tall with a slightly wider spread, while many larger types can reach 8′ feet in height and spread. Forsythias are fast-growing shrubs that can grow as much as 24 inches in a year, especially the larger varieties.
What is the lifespan of a forsythia bush?
Overall Lifespan and Growth Rate
Border Forsythia typically enjoys a lifespan of 10 to 20 years when grown under optimal conditions. Factors such as soil quality, climate, and care practices play a significant role in determining how long these vibrant plants thrive.
Can I just stick forsythia cuttings in the ground?
Remove any leaves or leftover flowers. Clippings with buds still on them will encourage root growth. The best branches to cut will have 4 to 6 buds on them. Plant your cuttings deep enough so that only about 3 or 4 inches (7.6 or 10.2 cm) of the cutting is left sticking out of the soil.
Where can I buy Forsythia bushes?
Rest assured, when you buy Forsythia bushes for sale online from Wilson Bros Gardens we safely ship the highest quality container-grown specimens that are ready upon arrival to plant and thrive for years to come in your gardens – Guaranteed!
Is forsythia a shrub?
Forsythia can be used as a specimen shrub in any shrub border, and it is ideal for placing at the back of other shrubs. In spring, it will be easy to see it in bloom, as the plants in front will still mostly be dormant. Later it will act as a neutral green background to their summer and fall blooms.
Where does Forsythia grow?
Forsythia is a small group of flowering shrubs, mostly originating in China, Korea and Japan, but there is also a European species, found in south-eastern Europe. From a gardener’s point of view, they are all very similar, with only minor differences in leaf shape, flower size and appearance.
Where can I buy a bare root forsythia tree?
Arborday.org Tree Nursery. We offer affordable bare root Forsythia trees and many others bushes, shrubs, and trees shipped at the best time for planting where you live.
Is forsythia a pest?
It has no serious pests or diseases, and although some pruning once a year is advisable, it is basically a maintenance-free plant. Forsythia can be used as a specimen shrub in any shrub border, and it is ideal for placing at the back of other shrubs. In spring, it will be easy to see it in bloom, as the plants in front will still mostly be dormant.
When does Forsythia bloom?
Forsythia grow as smaller to medium-sized deciduous shrubs, with simple green leaves that flower very early in the year, just after most of the snow has melted. It is not uncommon to see Forsythia in bloom while some snow still lies in shady corners.