The red elder is a shrub or small tree, 1-4 m in height. The twigs are stout, grey-brown, with a broad circle of rust-coloured pith in cross section. The round buds, about 1 cm across, are arranged opposite each other on the twig, which is usually terminated by two buds. The yellowish flowers appear in April and May; the fruits ripen in July and August. It has a widespreading root system and increases also by root suckers.
The fruits ripen in September and remain on the bush until the spring of the following year. The capsules contain 2 winged seeds. This is a quick-growing shrub and produces stump and root suckers freely.
It is a native of the Balkan Peninsula, mainly Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, where it grows mostly on rocky, limestone slopes up to more than 1000 m. In central and western Europe it is very popular as an ornamental shrub and is widely cultivated in parks and gardens. Many cultivated varieties are grown with flowers ranging in colour from white to red and violet; these are often grafted onto privet. Lilac is frequently found more or less naturalized in hedges, on banks and the edges of woods especially near built-up areas.
Forsythia is a broad shrub with arching pendent branches reaching a height of 3 m. The shoots appear four-angled and arc hollow. The elliptical buds are opposite. The golden yellow flowers appear in March and April before the leaves unfold. The capsules ripen and split to release the small winged seeds in September.
This shrub is a native of northern and central China, where it grows on mountain slopes, and was introduced into the parks and gardens of western and central Europe almost 150 years ago. It is very popular for the abundance and brightness of its blooms as well as for its early flowering season. It is planted either as a solitary specimen, in groups or as a border plant alongside paths. It requires full sun if it is to bear a rich profusion of flowers and is moderate in its demands on soil moisture.
It is slightly sensitive to frost and its shoots are damaged by frost in severe winters. Propagation is by means of seeds and summer cuttings. Also widely cultivated in European parks is F. viridissima, with simple leaves, likewise a native of China. Cross-breeding of the two above species produced the hybrid x F. intermedia with simple and occasionally trifoliate leaves. This hybrid and its named forms, notably 'Spectabilis' and 'Lynwood' are commonly met with in gardens. - 16035
The fruits ripen in September and remain on the bush until the spring of the following year. The capsules contain 2 winged seeds. This is a quick-growing shrub and produces stump and root suckers freely.
It is a native of the Balkan Peninsula, mainly Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, where it grows mostly on rocky, limestone slopes up to more than 1000 m. In central and western Europe it is very popular as an ornamental shrub and is widely cultivated in parks and gardens. Many cultivated varieties are grown with flowers ranging in colour from white to red and violet; these are often grafted onto privet. Lilac is frequently found more or less naturalized in hedges, on banks and the edges of woods especially near built-up areas.
Forsythia is a broad shrub with arching pendent branches reaching a height of 3 m. The shoots appear four-angled and arc hollow. The elliptical buds are opposite. The golden yellow flowers appear in March and April before the leaves unfold. The capsules ripen and split to release the small winged seeds in September.
This shrub is a native of northern and central China, where it grows on mountain slopes, and was introduced into the parks and gardens of western and central Europe almost 150 years ago. It is very popular for the abundance and brightness of its blooms as well as for its early flowering season. It is planted either as a solitary specimen, in groups or as a border plant alongside paths. It requires full sun if it is to bear a rich profusion of flowers and is moderate in its demands on soil moisture.
It is slightly sensitive to frost and its shoots are damaged by frost in severe winters. Propagation is by means of seeds and summer cuttings. Also widely cultivated in European parks is F. viridissima, with simple leaves, likewise a native of China. Cross-breeding of the two above species produced the hybrid x F. intermedia with simple and occasionally trifoliate leaves. This hybrid and its named forms, notably 'Spectabilis' and 'Lynwood' are commonly met with in gardens. - 16035
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A garden planning tip is that a roof which is not used can be planted with evergreen and shrubby garden plants which need a little attention.
