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Tree Guide

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ForsythiaForsythia x intermedia

  • Forsythia bush - Forsythia x intermedia
  • Forsythia - Forsythia x intermedia
  • Forsythia - Forsythia x intermedia
  • Forsythia - Forsythia x intermedia
There’s no better way to welcome the coming of spring than with the profusion of yellow blooms covering graceful, arching branches. The forsythia is a fast-growing, hardy shrub that blooms early — providing a sunny sight before the rest of the landscape greens up.

Forsythias make an excellent choice for those wanting a fast-growing flowering hedge. For best results, plant forsythia 4-6 feet apart when creating your hedge.

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Hardiness Zones

The forsythia can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 5–8. View Map

Tree Type

This is a flowering shrub, typically planted for its profusion of spring flowers.

Mature Size

The forsythia grows to a height of 8–10' and a spread of 10–12' at maturity.

Growth Speed Fast Growth Rate

This shrub grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year.

Sun Preference

Full sun and partial shade are best for this shrub, meaning it prefers a minimum of 4 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.

Soil Preference

The forsythia grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam and well-drained soil.

Attributes

This shrub:
  • Blooms in early spring, with a profusion of pale to deep yellow, bell-shaped flowers on the previous year's growth.
  • Develops graceful branches with an upright or arching habit.
  • Features opposite, simple leaves, ovate to oblong-lancelolate in shape and 3–5" in length. The medium to dark green foliage is coarsely toothed along the up half of the margin.
  • Withstands city conditions, including air pollution.
  • Works well as a hedge, planted 4–6' apart.
  • Grows in a rounded shape.
  • Should be pruned immediately after flowering.

History/Lore

The forsythia is named after English horticulturist William Forsythe. It is also called the border forsythia or golden bell. Forsythia x intermedia is a hybrid between F. suspensa and F. viridissima. Many cultivars have been selected from this cross, including dwarf and compact forms.