This colorful shrub provides some of the first signs of spring.
Late winter always makes gardeners antsy for spring.
Forsythia relishes this season as if its just as eager to get started as any gardener.
Credit: David Speer
These plants stand out with richly-hued blooms in shades from pale yellow to bright gold.
The foliage of forsythia is nothing particularly noteworthy.
Deep green in color, the serrated leaves act as a neutral backdrop for perennials and annuals.
Credit: David Speer
It is hardy inUSDA Zones49 and grows best in well-draining soil.
Give it plenty of room to spread.
If you are planting more than one, space them at least 6 feet apart.
Credit: Bill Stites
Forsythia looks great standing alone as a focal point, in a border, or whengrown as a hedge.
Forsythias can be found in nursery containers or shipped as bare-root plants.
If the plant is in a container, dig a hole twice the containers width and the same depth.
Credit: Jon Jensen
Set the plant in the hole at the same depth it was in the container.
Fill the hole with good-quality soil and press it down around the roots.
Water the shrub well.
Credit: David Speer
Dont fertilize until the plant is established.
Bare-root forsythia shrubs are often available online.
They result in smaller plants than those initially grown in containers, but forsythia is a fast grower.
Credit: Todd Dacquisto
Prepare the soil before the plant arrives byadding organic matter.
Plant the shrub as soon as it arrives.
Forsythia Care Tips
These spring-blooming knockouts are easy to grow and adaptable.
Light
For the best blooms,plant forsythias in full sun.
These versatile shrubs can handle part shade, but they will generally have fewer blooms come spring.
Also, the chance of fall color diminishes in shade.
Soil and Water
Forsythias preferwell-drained, evenly moist soilbut tolerate other soil types.
They can even handleclay soil if it is amendedto drain well.
Water the shrubs once a week unless it rains and even more frequently the first year.
Forsythia shrubs can handle some drought after they are established.
However, expect some winter damage at that point.
Forsythia performs best in average humidity.
Dont fertilize at all in the fall or winter.
Also, dont fertilize newly planted shrubs for the first year.
Pruning
Forsythias have a graceful natural growth habit that can be ruined withimproper pruning.
The best way to maintain forsythias and conserve their original habit is by selectivelypruning out old woodafter blooming.
Harsh pruning can bring back its old habit.
If this happens, apply insecticidal soap orneem oilto handle the problem.
It is likely the result of a bacterial or fungal infection spread by sucking insects.
At this point, there is no treatment.
Layering:Fill a large pot withpotting soiland place it close to the shrub.
Pick a stem that is long enough to bend down and reach the pot with a foot to spare.
Dont cut it off the stem.
You might need a rock or another weight to hold the stem down in the pot.
Keep the potting soil moist.
After roots form, cut the stem reaching from the parent plant to the pot.
This process is so easy that the plant may do it by itself.
Look under and around an existing forsythia for tiny volunteer shrubs.
Cuttings:In midsummer,take a 6-inch cuttingfrom the tip of a stem from the current years growth.
Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and dip the end intorooting hormone.
Fill a small pot with perlite and make a hole with a pencil.
Insert the cutting, firm up the medium, and water it well.
Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag and seal it.
Put it in a warm place, but not in direct sunlight.
After a few days, unseal the bag to let in fresh air, and dont reseal it.
Roots should develop in six to eight weeks.
It grows 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide.
Zones 5-9
Northern Sun Forsythia
ForsythiaNorthern Sun is an exceptionally cold-hardy variety that produces clear yellow flowers.
It grows 10 feet tall and 9 feet wide.
Bees, butterflies, and birds will visit until other, more attractive-to-pollinator plants bloom.
In fact, the flowers of the forsythia plants are bitter, which can help to discourage deer browsing.
The shrub is not listed as invasive, but it is considered an aggressive grower.
