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So I am not a huge fan of forsythia, but the prior owners of our home apparently were. I have spent the past 6 years removing random placement of forsythia bushes and I am down to my last section that I thought I wanted to remove, but now i am wondering if it might be best to work with what I have. At the bottom of our property there is a border of about 80 feet wide worth of forsythia plants. They are planted in a staggered fashion and are actually several forsythia plants deep. They are overgrown so I plan to trim them back a little this year. I like them because they create somewhat of a "border" between the grassy area of our property and a section of woods with a brook that falls behind the forsythia border. What I would like to do is plant in front of the forsythia (the side that faces the grassy area) to create a more interesting border, rather than just the forsythia. Any thoughts on other shorter shrubs that would mix well? I am in CT, the soil in that area is damp, sunny. Thanks
Azaleas, roses, peonies. Bulbs: tulips daffodils, iris. Mounding perennial flowers, I especially like all kinds of daisies and many of them become 2-3 feet tall.
The most beautiful flower I've ever grown would look lovely in such a garden, Canterbury Bells. They got over 2 feet tall and were covered with the most glorious flowers all summer, four months. I grew them from seed, cheap and easy. They did well in the north.
I have a forsythia border and I love it.. kind of like a natural privacy fence...If you are planning to plant in front of them, you'll have to trim the bushes back and make sure you will have sun... mine shade everything!! But then I don't like to make them "boxy" looking...I prefer the natural look
My neighbors have a forsythia border along their front yard...its stunning right now and almost in peek bloom. They cut theirs down to about 2-3' after they bloom to allow views into their garden, its a nice privacy hedge. It is one of the best things to come around the corner down our street and see that beautiful line of forsythia. I will try to take a picture...I have pics on my profile page of their garden but dont know how to add a picture to the discussions.
Good luck...I hope you keep them!
Update: I just added two pics to my profile page albums...My neighbors enjoy the natural look as well but the forsythia gets a good hair cut after blooming because they always start new growth for the year and can get very big and bushy. Hope the pictures help show what a big cut back will still allow the forsythias to enjoy
Last edited by Hartwell Girl; 03-24-2009 at 05:27 PM..
My neighbors have a forsythia border along their front yard...its stunning right now and almost in peek bloom. They cut theirs down to about 2-3' after they bloom to allow views into their garden, its a nice privacy hedge. It is one of the best things to come around the corner down our street and see that beautiful line of forsythia. I will try to take a picture...I have pics on my profile page of their garden but dont know how to add a picture to the discussions.
Good luck...I hope you keep them!
Update: I just added two pics to my profile page albums...My neighbors enjoy the natural look as well but the forsythia gets a good hair cut after blooming because they always start new growth for the year and can get very big and bushy. Hope the pictures help show what a big cut back will still allow the forsythias to enjoy
That's funny, I'm just 20 miles north of you and our forsythia isn't blooming at all yet.
Thanks for the pictures. That does look nice. Mine are about 3 times that size! time for a haircut. They are actually in bloom now here in NE and they do look quite nice, although straggley since I haven't done anything with them in 6 years. ahh, another project....Thanks all for the input and feedback.
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