What hardiness zones is Forsythia x intermedia suitable for?

Forsythia x intermedia is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Forsythia x intermedia?

Forsythia x intermedia requires Full Sun.

How much water does Forsythia x intermedia need?

Forsythia x intermedia has Low water needs.

Forsythia x intermedia, hybrid forsythia

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Deciduous Shrubs

Forsythia x intermedia

hybrid forsythia

Oleaceae

Garden hybrid of Chinese species parents; raised in Germany c. 1878

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitSpreading

FoliageDeciduous

Height8-10 feet (2.4-3 m)

Width10-12 feet (3-3.6 m)

Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Drought Tolerant

Maintenancevery low

Overview

Forsythia × intermedia (hybrid forsythia) is a deciduous shrub that is one of the most widely recognized signs of spring in Pacific Northwest gardens: from late February through March, the bare arching stems are smothered in brilliant golden-yellow, four-petaled flowers before a single leaf has emerged, creating one of the earliest and most vivid floral displays of the garden year. It is a hybrid between F. suspensa and F. viridissima, reaching 8–10 feet (2.4–3 m) tall and 10–12 feet (3–3.6 m) wide with a strongly arching, fountain-like habit. The flowers are bell-shaped, 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) across, and produced in clusters of 1–6 along the entire length of every stem — the effect is a cascade of gold on bare brown wood. Opposite, simple, elliptic leaves 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) with serrated margins follow the flowers in April, providing adequate but undistinguished summer foliage — the honest limitation of forsythia is that its three weeks of spring glory are followed by seven months of coarse medium-green foliage with limited seasonal interest. Fall color is a modest purplish to reddish tinge. A critical cultural rule: forsythia flowers on previous year's wood (old wood). Pruning in winter or early spring removes the flower buds and eliminates that year's display; prune only immediately after flowering ends (April). Numerous cultivars are available: 'Lynwood Gold' (very dense upright flowering), 'Spectabilis' (arching, large flowers), 'Karl Sax' (good fall color). Great Plant Picks endorsed.

Native Range

Forsythia × intermedia is a garden hybrid between F. suspensa (native to China) and F. viridissima (native to China), first raised in Germany around 1878. Not native to any region — a cultivated hybrid of Chinese parents.

Suggested Uses

Grown primarily for its late-winter to early-spring flowering display — Great Plant Picks endorsed. The golden-yellow flower cascade on bare stems in February through March is one of the most reliable and vivid early-spring signals in the PNW garden. Effective in mass plantings along property boundaries, on slopes, and in informal hedgerows. Branches cut in late January through February and brought indoors will force into bloom within 1–2 weeks in a warm vase — one of the best cut branches for late-winter indoor arrangements. Best sited where summer foliage coarseness is less prominent — behind more refined summer-interest plants. Pairs well with spring bulbs (daffodils especially) which bloom simultaneously. 'Lynwood Gold' is the most widely recommended cultivar for dense, reliable flowering.

How to Identify

Unmistakable in late February through March: bare arching stems densely covered with bright golden-yellow four-petaled flowers 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) across in clusters of 1–6 — one of the first and most vivid spring displays of any shrub. After flowering: opposite, simple, elliptic leaves 3–5 inches (8–13 cm) with serrated margins on arching stems. Stems are square in cross-section with hollow internodes (pith only at nodes). Fall: modest purplish-red tinge. Distinguished from the species F. suspensa by more upright habit and larger, more profuse flowers; from native yellow-flowered shrubs by the opposite simple leaves and square hollow stems.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 10'

Width/Spread10' - 12'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red

purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Blooms late February through March for 3–4 weeks — one of the earliest flowering shrubs of the season. Bright golden-yellow four-petaled flowers 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) across in clusters of 1–6 along the entire length of bare stems, before any leaf emergence. In mild PNW winters, blooms can begin as early as late January. Flowers on previous year's wood (old wood) — this single fact governs all pruning decisions. Flowers are not fragrant. Modest purplish-red fall leaf color in October.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

bright golden-yellow (four-petaled, on bare stems before leaf emergence)

Foliage Description

medium green in summer; modest purplish-red in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 3-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysandchalk

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Exceptionally adaptable to a wide range of soil types, pH, and light conditions — among the most tolerant of all flowering shrubs. Full sun produces the most prolific flowering; part shade is tolerated with reduced bloom. Any reasonable soil — clay, loam, sand — is acceptable as long as it is not waterlogged. Drought tolerant once established. No serious pest or disease problems in the PNW. The single most important rule for forsythia is pruning timing: it flowers on previous year's wood, so pruning in winter or early spring removes the season's flower buds. Prune only immediately after flowering in April. Shearing forsythia into a ball or box shape is the most common gardening mistake with this plant — it destroys the natural arching habit and reduces flowering.

Pruning

Prune immediately after flowering ends (April) — this is the critical rule. Cutting at any other time removes the following year's flower buds. After flowering: remove one-third of the oldest, thickest canes to the base annually to encourage vigorous new flowering wood. Lightly trim remaining stems to shape. Every 4–5 years, cut the entire plant to 12 inches (30 cm) in April for full rejuvenation — it responds with a flush of vigorous flowering stems. Never shear into a formal shape; this eliminates the natural arching fountain form and dramatically reduces flowering.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic