About
Small clusters of primrose-yellow flowers appear all along the branches in early to mid-spring. A large, spreading, deciduous shrub to about 3m. Leaves are mid- to dark green, usually three lobed, and flushed bronze-purple in spring.
About the genus
Forsythia are deciduous shrubs with simple, occasionally lobed, leaves and short tubular yellow flowers with 4 spreading lobes, borne profusely before the leaves in spring
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitPendulous weeping, Bushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrows best in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Can be fan-trained on a wall
PruningPruning group 2
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to birds eating the flower buds
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus and forsythia gall