Forsythia - Spectabilis
The Spectabilis Forsythis, Forsythia x intermedia, is a showy border Forsythia that transplants readily. It grows at a rapid rate and is long-lived. Tolerates a wide range of soil and light conditions, but prefers full sun. Allow plenty of room for plant to spread. Withstands city conditions. Profuse, yellow, spring flowers are followed by medium green summer foliage. `Spectabilis' (Showy Border Forsythia) is the most common forsythia. The profuse, yellow flowers of forsythia are considered by many to be the first sure sign of spring. Flowers will last for two or three weeks unless killed by cold. Often used to control erosion on steep slopes because tips of branches root naturally and plants spread easily. Suggested uses for this plant include border, specimen plant, and screen. Prune in spring after flowering so that buds for the next year can develop in the fall. ... more
Sweetshrub The Sweetshrub, Calycanthus floridus, or Carolina allspice is a dense, rounded deciduous shrub with a suckering habit which grows 6-9' tall with an equal or slightly greater spread. It features very fragrant, brown to reddish-brown flowers (2" across) which bloom at the ends of short branchlets in May. Lustrous, dark green (pale beneath), ovate to elliptic leaves to 6" long turn golden yellow in fall. Also commonly called sweetshrub and strawberry bush because of the reference to the fragrant blooms which have been described as combining hints of pineapple, strawberry and banana. Another common name is hairy allspice which is in reference to the hairy twigs and leaf undersides of this plant. It grows somewhat taller in shade than in sun, and it is tolerant of a wide range of soils, but prefers rich loam. Prune immediately after flowering to shape or maintain compactness. It is utilized for shrub borders, foundations, and native plant areas.
