Forsythia viridissima Lindl.

Horticultural & Botanical History

J. Saul of Washington D. C. wrote: ‘The value and exquisite beauty of this plant are not, I fear, sufficiently known in England, where, by many it is considered a second-rate subject. When Mr. Fortune introduced it to the Garden of the Horticultural Society from China [1844], he spoke in high terms of its beauty, and I question much whether anything more handsome can be found among all his introductions.’  [Journal of the Horticultural Society 1852]. ‘The original Forsythia, established on a Chinese plant cultivated in Japan, where it was introduced from China, appears to have been introduced into Holland in 1833 by M. V. Pistorius: but has never been cultivated in England.  That species is called F. suspensa, from the fact of a common form or variety of it having lax pendent branches: it has ternate leaves, broad obovate segments to the corolla, and longer calycine lobes.  Our plant bears the open air exceedingly well against a wall, and produces its copious bright yellow flowers while the leaves are yet but partially expanded.  Introduced to Europe by Mr. Fortune.  [BM t.4587/1851].  OFG f.3/1853.  BR f. 39/1847.  FS pl.IX 8e Liv./1847.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.452/1850].  Obtained from Kew Gardens, brought out from England by Captain P. P. King in 1849.  Macarthur indicated that it was not new to the colony.  It was also one of a number of plants received from Captain Simpson, apparently on the same ship as those accompanying King.  The source is unclear.  [ML A1980-3].

Notes