Forsythia x intermedia

Oleaceae
Deciduous, Ground covers, Shrubs

FORSYTHIA

Native to China, Korea. From late winter to early spring, these fountain-shaped shrubs’ bare branches are covered with 3/4 to 1 1/2-in. yellow flowers; budded branches can be forced for indoor bloom. During rest of growing season, medium green, rounded leaves with pointed tips blends well with other background shrubs. Use as screen, espalier, or bank cover; or plant in shrub border. Tolerate most soils. Prune after bloom by cutting to ground a third of the branches that have flowered; also remove oldest branches and weak or dead wood. In coldest-winter climates, flower buds may be destroyed by temperatures of 15° to 20°F/26° to 29°C.

Forsythia x intermedia

This group of hybrids between parents F. suspensa and F. viridissima includes several varieties whose sizes range from about 2 ft. tall to 10 ft.

'Beatrix Farrand'

Upright to 10 ft. tall, 7 ft. wide. Branches thickly set with deep yellow flowers marked with orange.

'Goldtide'

This hybrid grows 20 in. high and 4 ft. wide, with profuse yellow blooms.

'Lynwood' ('Lynwood Gold')

Stiffly upright to 7 ft.; 4–6-ft. spread. Profuse tawny yellow blooms survive spring storms.

'Magical Gold'

Upright grower to 4–5 ft. tall and wide. Deep golden yellow blooms clothe stems densely from base to tip. Good cut flower.