Deciduous Shrub – Forsythia

Forsythia

Botanical name: forsythia x intermedia 

Beginner friendly?: yes 

Average size at maturity: 8-10 ft in height with a spread of 10-12 ft 

Hardy zone: zones 5-9

Growth rate: grows 2-4 ft per year 

Foliage color: green 

Flower color: yellow 

Bloom time:  spring

Pruning instructions: prune in the late spring/early summer once all blooms have faded for the season 

Propagation methods: propagate with cuttings during the fall and winter months 

Landscape use: seasonal screening/border, spring interest, pollinator garden, seasonal focal point 

Special features: attracts pollinators, fragrant blooms, disease resistant 

Light needs: 6 hours of sun per day 

Watering instructions: allow the top 2-4 inches of soil dry out between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions : use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once a year in the early spring, right before the plant begins to come out of dormancy 

Best time to plant: spring, fall 

Best type of soil: loam, clay 

Companion plants: redbuds, flowering quince, redtwig dogwood, wisteria 

Toxicity level: potentially mildly toxic for pets and humans if ingested in abnormally large amounts over a period of time 

Invasive species: potentially but not commonly invasive