About

A medium-sized deciduous shrub with lance-shaped leaves and slender, erect branches bearing abundant bright golden-yellow flowers about 3cm across.

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, Partial shade
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
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade
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