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Genus Abeliophyllum (White forsythia)

Abeliophyllum Abeliophyllum distichum Photo/Illustration: Steve Aitken
ah-bee-lee-oh-FIL-lum Common Name: White forsythia
This genus has only one species, A. distichum. It is a deciduous shrub related to Forsythia and native to Korean hillsides. It has dark green leaves and four-petaled, fragrant white flowers borne in late winter or early spring. It forms an open, spreading shrub to 5 feet high and wide, and is nice in a border or trained against a wall.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Fragrant flowers in late winter or early spring. Can be trained against a sunny wall.
 Care: Grow in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil.
 Propagation: Layer, or root greenwood or semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
 Problems: Infrequent.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Abeliophyllum

Abeliophyllum distichum Abeliophyllum distichum
(White forsythia) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This deciduous shrub is related to the forsythia, but differs in that it has white (rather than yellow) flowers that open in early spring before true forsythia. It is a member of the olive family (Oleaceae). In early spring, before the new leaves form, purplish buds all along the grey naked branches open into small white four-petaled, almond-scented flowers with yellow stamens. After flowering, green, glossy abelia-like leaves appear.