Golden Hedges

I've never understood why a lot of people don't seem to like forsythias.  A considerable number of my garden design clients, despite my protests, have ruled out any use of forsythias.  Not only are these sturdy shrubs a great herald of spring; for effect, they're simply unbeatable as a hedge, particularly when planted against evergreens.  Monrovia Nursery has introduced a new one for spring (Forsythia x intermedia 'KolGold', or Magical Gold Forsythia) which should be available in garden centers.  If it lives up to its promise of deep gold individual blooms the size of quarters, it'll make a truly stunning hedge.  It has a strong upright growth habit, flowers from the base of each branch to the tip, and reaches a size of 4 to 5 feet.  Zones 5-9, Full Sun. And if you're in DC, check out the forsythias at Dumbarton Oaks (right) -- you might change your mind about them.

(photo: Monrovia, Jane Berger)

Another Monrovia introduction, Golden Sunrise Spirea (Spiraea x bumalda 'Monhud') would make a great low hedge at the front of a shrub border.  Brilliant yellow foliage emerges in spring, turning yellow-green in summer and fading to coppery orange in the fall, with pink flowers through frost.  Could be a winner.  Three to four feet tall, wider spread.  Zones 4-9.  Said to have great heat tolerance. (AHS Heat Zones 1-9)

Comments

[Sirilak]

Hi

I have just gone to see the False Agave bloom in Muttart Conservatory, Edmonton "after planted 30 years" the Conservatory website mentioned that the false agave has a gigantic nine meter flower spike :) I think the bloom in Edmonton is amazing :)