F is for Forsythia

Many plants were named for the people (western Europeans) who ‘discovered’ them. I put ‘discovered’ in quotes as of course the natives knew and often used the plants long before the Europeans saw said plants. This includes poinsettias (named after Poinsett) and tradescantia (spiderwort – named after Tradescants – father and son plant explorers). Forsythias were named after a Scottish botanist, William Forsyth.

To me forsythia are spring sunshine. Such a clear, bright yellow is so welcome early in the season and the branches can be ‘forced’ to bloom even earlier if you live in more northerly climes by cutting them and bringing them indoors in a vase of water. This is how the flower shops get them to bloom, especially if Easter is early in the year. Forsythia make great branches to hang Easter eggs from. That won’t happen this year for two reasons, 1) the blooms will probably be ‘spent’ or gone by then and 2) I have cats that think the hanging eggs are cat toys.

The one in my front yard needs a little ‘trimming’ back. The debate is whether to do it after it flowers or while it flowers. The color is so nice in the yard, but would be equally welcome in the house. What a debate, huh?