Planting Lynwood Gold Forsythia in My Maze

June 10, 2024

Planting Lynwood Gold Forsythia in My Maze

My garden maze now includes a long row of Lynwood Gold Forsythia.

I started this three-acre maze in the spring of 2022, and so far I've completed more than two-thirds of the entire course. I've planted European beech, European hornbeams, boxwood, parrotias, espaliered apple trees, American sweetgums, barberry, London planetrees, privets, camperdown elms, yews, a variety of evergreen shrubs, and now forsythia. The Lynwood Gold Forsythia is fast growing and maintains an upright growth habit with graceful arching branches. This flowering shrub features beautiful bell shaped yellow blooms in spring, alternating green leaves in summer that turn to a dark purple in fall and winter with the return of cold weather.

Enjoy these photos.

: A couple weeks ago, we picked up 16 forsythias from Select Horticulture in nearby Pound Ridge. I knew these shrubs would be great additions to my living maze.

: The crew uses marking spray, often used for landscaping jobs, to indicate exactly where each tree will be planted. Forsythia do best in full sun to light shade with well-draining soil.

: And then the digging begins. Chhiring maneuvers our Kubota M62 tractor loader and backhoe to dig holes four to six feet apart for the shrubs.

: Backhoes are extremely versatile. I am fortunate to have this attachment for our tractor. Backhoes come with a bucket and digging arm that can perform many different tasks.

: Then our Kubota M4-071 tractor drops off each forsythia where it will be planted.

: These holes are carefully dug along the northern most side of the maze. It will eventually develop into a beautiful spring blooming hedge.

: Chhiring manually smooths out each hole as needed and ensures it is deep enough for each specimen. The hole sides should also be slanted. Digging a wide planting hole helps to provide the best opportunity for roots to expand into its new growing environment. The entire process of planting these forsythia takes a couple of days.

: Chhiring also sprinkles fertilizer specially made for transplanting. Remember, “if you eat, so should your plants.”

: Scotts Evergreen Flowering Tree & Shrub is a fertilizer that is ideal for acid-loving trees and shrubs, including evergreens, dogwoods, hydrangeas, and magnolias. It encourages vigorous root growth and lush foliage, and is easy to use – just sprinkle a generous amount into the soil.

: Chhiring removes the protective burlap from around the root ball.

: And then he removes the cage. Removing all the material is very important. Some gardeners will leave the wrapping in the ground, but I prefer to remove everything around any trees that are planted at the farm, so there is nothing blocking its root growth. Some burlap is also treated to prevent it from disintegrating.

: As it is removed, all the protective cages and coverings are placed by each tree, so we are sure it was taken off.

: To place each one into its designated hole, Chhiring slowly rolls the root ball into position. Only hold it by the root ball and the base of the trunk – never by its branches, which could easily break.

: All these shrubs are in good condition, but we always position plantings with the best side facing the walking path.

: Next, Chhiring rmoves the twine holding the branches together.

: Here the twine is removed and the branches are given time to open naturally.

: The leaves of the Lynwood Gold Forsythia are oval, dark green and three inches long with toothed margins. In the fall, the leaves turn yellow with a hint of purple, or shades of red and purple, before going dormant.

: The shrubs are then backfilled. A good tip is to “plant bare to the flare,” meaning do not bury above its flare, where the first main roots attach to the trunk. The roots need oxygen to grow. By placing the root flare at or slightly above ground level when planting gives the specimen the best chance for survival, growth and development.

: Phurba follows behind and rakes the pit, so it is neat and tidy.

: Once they’re all planted, the forsythias are given a very deep and thorough drink. It’s been hot and humid here this week – we’ve been watering quite a bit.