Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Abeliophyllum distichum aka White Forsythia

RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
edited September 2023 in Plants
Does anyone grow this shrub?

I am afraid I bought this shrub online to make an order worthwhile.
I thought a white forsythia sounded nice.
Despite having a bit of an internet check I managed to missed how tiny the flowers are.
Foolishly I thought it was Forsythia sized flowers.

It is in flower now despite it supposedly being a spring flowering shrub, so I can see the flowers are tiny. Scented and white yes, but so very small. Barely a centimetre across, if that.

I confess I am disappointed.
I would welcome any positive comments as to why I should keep this plant.
We have several other (relatively in comparison) larger/scented or more interesting winter to spring flowerers.

I cannot imagine it even looking that good once it gets its act together and flowers in spring with bare stems, even though it looks nice online close up.
It would also take up a sunny spot which I could use for more interesting plants.
Sunny areas are a premium here.
I know it seems I have pretty much already made up my mind, but I hate to get rid of it.

I now have to be careful of giving plants away as we have NZ flatworms here now. So it would be compost time for it.

Any input or opinions are welcome.
«1

Posts

  • DahliaDivaDahliaDiva Posts: 12
    Do you have a pic? My guy propagated some abelias from the master gardeners class, but he doesn't recall the exact variety. I'm not sure if this is the same shrub, but they're also blooming now and are much as you describe. Here's a pic of two that I put in a tough spot that gets mostly afternoon sun. They've been good sports about it. These are waste-high, and lacy enough to see through. It's along our roadside and close to a corner, so I wanted something that wouldn't obstruct the view of oncoming traffic. 
    Western Oregon, USA. Our climate is a lot like Northern England, but with dry, hot summers.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    They are not the same plant. I always thought that White Forsythia was a rare plant I have never seen one. That is the extent of my knowledge.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited September 2023

    https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/plants.cfm?pl_id=10 

    Sounds gorgeous… especially trained against a wall as described in the Burncoose link. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    There is also a Lemon form 'Nymens'.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I bought one a few years back, thinking the same as you @Rubytoo. It did absolutely nothing although l gave it every chance. In the end l decided it was taking up valuable space and out it went to the great compost heap in the sky, aka the council green waste bin.

    Abelia is a different kettle of fish, personally l like that shrub although l don't have one at the moment. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited September 2023
    Forsythia suspensia ‘Nymans’ is a lovely shrub, particularly when grown on its own with an under planting of spring flowers … far better than most of the forsythias grown nowadays. 

    However it is a Forsythia
    … a different species to the OP’s plant which I think is a type of Abelia but which has the (somewhat misleading) common name of White Forsythia. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    That's why "they" always say to use the Latin name eh, @Dovefromabove :) .

    Abelia grandiflora is what l was referring to as "a different kettle of fish". I could dig out the label for the "white forsythia" as l'm sure l've still got it somewhere, but quite frankly l can't be arsed 😁.
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    edited September 2023
    Thank you to everybody who has replied.

    @DahliaDiva, your Abelia look nice, you are right it is a different plant.
    We have a pure white one in shade it does well there.

    The man both plants were named for was called Clarke Abel..... :)  A surgeon and naturalist.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarke_Abel
    I think he deserves a mention as do many of the early explorers collectors etc.

    @Dovefromabove the images on Burncoose do make it look stunning, maybe ours will look better in a year or so when/if it flowers on bare stems.
    The images are taken very close up.

    The flowers here at the moment are on new wood, made since we got the plant, with fresh green leaves.

    The whole flowers are just 8mm in diameter, somewhat smaller than any Abelia or Forsythia.

    @AnniD I can see why you gave up on it.
    I love Latin names it makes it sound like I know what I am on about :D

    It is sadly Rocking Horse poop status (on the ICUN Red list like many other things these days).

    Also it is a relatively small shrub.  Which is another reason I chose it initially.

    This image is of it on Wikipedia shows some flowers shrub/leaf.
    By © William Crochot / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1232810

    You need to zoom in a fair bit to spot the flowers. I think the screws on the name plate are nearly as big.
    A little different from the amazing close shots on some sites.

    Me growing it will not change its status in the wild, but I now feel I should at least give it a chance.

    I must say it is my own fault for not properly checking it out before buying.


  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    I have seen pots of it for sale, in flower, and almost bought one. They looked really lovely. Much nicer than the yellow forsythias (which are cheerful enough).

    They have nothing to do with Abelia (which is in the honeysuckle family) - they are related to Forsythia (in the olive clan).

    When they flower in winter - as they are supposed to do, despite your plant apparently not getting the memo - the flowers look lovely as they are borne profusely among the bare stems. Flowering now, amid the typical Forsythia leaves, I'm not surprised they seem underwhelming.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    @Loxley Thank you.
    I am not quite sure why ours did not get the memo.
    It has the old leaves when delivered but since then all the tips have grown 10cm in length with new ones with the flowers.
    It could be it got a hit or two of Tomorite as I had been feeding some clematis in pots it was tucked behind temporarily.

    I did know what I was buying was not a Forsythia nor Abelia and thought at the time wish they would not do that. (Common name thing a whole new subject :D ). But did not realize they would be quite that dinky :)

    I will be kind and patient then.
Sign In or Register to comment.