I like to have blossoms in the garden and in vases everywhere in the house. I try to have something blooming all the time – or as often as possible. Right now, in late April, I count more than ten species of plants in bloom, along with seven species.
Here in Cornish Flat, N.H., we recently had our first day that shouted “Spring is here!” After a night of cool rain, the sun came out and temperatures climbed into the 50s. Now all we need are spring flowers. Me? I solved that problem by potting up.
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When I was a boy, my mother would always notice forsythias blooming in spring. I thought she was saying “for Cynthia” when she talked about the plant. I never knew who Cynthia was, and didn t learn the true name of this shrub until I grew up.
Forsythia is often overlooked as a common, messy-looking, deciduous shrub. But there many good reasons to grow it. The flowers make a stunning visual show and they re a great source of pollen for bees and pollinators. The plant can grow large for an excellent privacy hedge. And if it gets out of control, forsythia is easily pruned back severely and will regrow readily. Plus, forsythia blooming is a sign to spread corn gluten organic herbicide on lawns to kill emerging crabgrass.