Abeliophyllum distichum - White Forsythia

Abeliophyllum distichum is a single species of deciduous shrub - closely resembling and related to the common Forsythia. The main difference being that the Abeliophyllum has pure white flowers - sometimes turning pink in wet weather.

It flowers in winter or early spring - before its cousin the Forsythia, and has fragrant blooms in early spring, on bare branches. As in the picture, it is best grown against a wall or fence in order to show off the white flowers.

This shrub is totally hardy - but requires that the wood is well ripened in the sun prior to winter. A south facing wall or fence is an ideal spot - and certainly not lost in the undergrowth of a shrub border.

The foliage is an attractive purple in the Autumn, and holds its colour well for a few weeks at this time.

The Abeliophyllum can easily reach a height and spread of 5 feet - 1.5metres if grown well, and can be a spectacular addition to the garden for its early flowering habit.

Do not plant robust shrubs in front of this plant - it really does need full sunlight for ripening of wood.

Propagation of Abeliophyllum

Whilst it can be propagated from semi ripe cuttings, the easiest way to grow a few exrtra plant is by layering one of the lower shoots into the ground and either pegging down, or simply placing a brick on it. If carried out in Spring or Early summer, then the shoot will probably be rooted and ready for removal and replanting, during the dormant season.

Problems of Abeliophyllum.

We know of no problems that confront this shrub, so should give many years of pleasure.

Pruning Abeliophyllum

After flowering - and before spring is over - Abeliophyllum can be either cut back quite hard, or simply pruned back into desired shape. This early pruning will allow plenty of time for the flower buds to develop on the new shoots throughout June July, and then to flower in the winter.

If grown against fence or wall - best trained along wires and pruned as required - but right after flowering.