Thursday, April 11, 2013

Forsythia - Stories


Forsythia isn't nearly as common in the Kirkland area as it is in Central Ohio. When I saw this bush I stopped to take a picture. The bright yellow blossoms brought back memories. 

The yellow blossoms of forsythia are a wonderful part of Spring in Ohio. Mom planted forsythia several places at Oak Street. Childhood memory - There was a large patch of forsythia in the corner of the vacant lot right where the lot joined our yard and Margaret Farrar's back yard. We'd spend hours playing in those bushes. In the middle of the bushes and underneath the long drooping branches there were wonderful child-sized spaces for play. 

Later we planted forsythia at our house on North Street, along the back fence. One season it got out of control and Joe decided to cut it back. I wasn't at home to warn him there was poison ivy was hidden in the bushes. Joe got a terrible case of poison ivy. 

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Forsythia look-a-like- kind of

When we moved to Kirkland, I initially thought this plant was forsythia. From a distance it looks very similar. Up close, the blossoms and leaves are definitely different. The blossoms look like well buttered popcorn. I think this may be the Scotch broom bush. It is considered an invasive species in Washington. 


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