Mendel’s Gardens

Abeliophyllum distichum

White Forsythia · Korean Abelialeaf

Family OleaceaeGenus Abeliophyllum

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Deciduous shrub
Height
3-5 ft
Spread
3-4 ft
Flower
Showy, fragrant, good cut; white, sometimes with a pink tinge
Blooms
March to April
Native range
Korea
Hardiness zones
5-8

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun to part shadePlant Finder
Soil
Average, medium, well-drainedPlant Finder
Soil pH
6.5-8Mendel’s Gardens Records
Organic matter
ModerateMendel’s Gardens Records
Watering
MediumPlant Finder

Sources: Plant Finder — Missouri Botanical Garden; Mendel’s Gardens Records.

This source reports 4 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 11, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Separate the seed from the round wings and capsule

    separating the seed from the round wings and capsule

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

    A small reduction in percent germination if the seeds are sown while still in the seed capsules.

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 25 days to germinate.

85% germination in 25 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Abeliophyllum p. 82Public domain
Show the original text
A. distichum seed germ. 85,95% by collecting the seed in November, separating the seed from the round wings and capsule, and sowing directly at 70. The ind. t is 25 d, and the rate is 7%/d.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Abeliophyllum p. 82. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 11, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Separate the seed from the round wings and capsule

    separating the seed from the round wings and capsule

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

    Germination does not take place until the shift to 70.

  3. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 25 days to germinate.

70% germination in 25 days.

This source doesn't state how long.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Abeliophyllum p. 82Public domain
Show the original text
If the seed is sown at 40, germination does not take place until the shift to 70 after which it germ. at the same rate as if it had been sown directly at 70, but the percent germ. is lowered to 70%.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Abeliophyllum p. 82. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 13, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 12, 2026.

  1. Separate the seed from the round wings and capsule

    separating the seed from the round wings and capsule

  2. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 25 days to germinate.

60% germination in 25 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Abeliophyllum p. 82Public domain
Show the original text
Seed collected in November has already undergone some DS, nevertheless DS at 40 or 70 for 6 m lowered the percent germination to 60%.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Abeliophyllum p. 82. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 13, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 12, 2026.

  1. Separate the seed from the round wings and capsule

    separating the seed from the round wings and capsule

  2. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 25 days to germinate.

60% germination in 25 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Abeliophyllum p. 82Public domain
Show the original text
Seed collected in November has already undergone some DS, nevertheless DS at 40 or 70 for 6 m lowered the percent germination to 60%.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Abeliophyllum p. 82. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.