Abeliophyllum distichum also called White Forsythia is more refined than traditional yellow Forsythia to which it is distantly related, both being part of the Olive family.

Growing White Forsythia

• Abeliophyllum distichum AGM  is native to Korea and produces clusters of fragrant, creamy white flowers which emerge in late winter or early spring before the leaves.
• Trained against a sunny wall,  Abeliophyllum distichum will grow 3-6 feet tall. It can be rather untidy and lax if grown in a border
• Prune after flowering to within 2-5  buds to make a permanent framework and encourage new wood for flowering next year.
• Grow in full sun or light shade in average soil 3-4ft apart. Feed with a balanced fertiliser once a year in early spring
• Can be underplanted with Scilla sibirica, Muscari or species Crocus for a lovely early spring display.

Abeliophyllum distichum roseum group is the seldom seen pink form. According to Junker’s nursery ‘It is sometimes called “Pink Forsythia” but this reflects more its time of flowering than either its colour or parentage! A very pretty plant that stays quite small, rarely more than 3 feet tall’.

Junker’s Nursery is a mail order specialist growers of an exciting range of hardy shrubs and trees, including: Acer, Betula, Cornus, Daphne, Epimedium, deciduous Euonymus, Liquidambar, Magnolia, Parrotia, and Viburnum. See link above.

Gardening with Woodland Plants by Karan Junker