However, today, a question about what to plant underneath a forsythia hedge really pricked my ears, so much so I had to stop pricking out my tomato seedlings and scowl at the radio. I love Chris Beardshaw (more so since he joined BBC Scotland’s Beechgrove Garden programme!) but his distaste of this adorable shrub was very surprising. He suggested to the lady who asked the question, that should get rid of the hedge and plant something more interesting......!
I accept than many gardeners forget to prune forsythia immediately after flowering, which results in the flowers only growing on the top branches. And it is a boring shrub the rest of the year but as for being a ‘suburban eyesore’, I just don’t agree. Chris thinks they are too brash and feels that spring is about subtlety, as shown by bulbs scattered underneath trees. Perhaps Chris needs to see our daffodils in the orchard. There is no subtlety about Springfield bulbs in spring! This season they are the best they have ever been, probably due to Doc feeding them last autumn and the heavy rainfall all winter.
My view is that although we gardeners try to include plants that add winter colour and texture, few of us venture into the garden in winter to admire them. I look forward to the first shots of yellow to lift me out of the winter gloom and tempt me outside. It is cheerful and I like to feel cheerful. When the daffodil blooms are spent and the forsythia has been pruned, the yellow stars step back from the scene and other flowers take their turn centre stage. The transient nature of gardening is part of the appeal for me. Every plant has a season, it comes and then it goes. The trick is to keep the show going all year.
As for our forsythia, it is looking just as gorgeous and yes, it is shockingly yellow. When it gets bigger, we may need sunglasses to enjoy it. However, I have chosen not to include a photo of it here, just in case You Know Who drops by.
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