Forsythia × intermedia
Border Forsythia

Forsythia × intermedia - Overall Shrub in Fall

Family:

Oleaceae (Olive Family) 45

Genus:

Forsythia (Forsythia Border Forsythia) 7

Plant Type:

Shrub 468

Growth Forms:

Arching 25

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 5 253

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 839

Flower Notes:

Yellow (Lovely, 4-petaled, bright yellow flowers (1.25-1.5" across) in early to mid spring; flowers killed by -10 to 15 degrees F)

Foliage Notes:

Green (Summer foliage); Yellow (Generally poor yellow-green to purple tinged in the fall)

Fruit Notes:

Brown (Capsule; not ornamentally important)

Ultimate Height:

8-10 feet

Ultimate Spread:

10-12 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Quite adaptable to soil type

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves (3-5" long by 1.5-2.5" wide) are opposite, simple, and entire near base and toothed near tip. Flowers form in leaf axils. Multiple buds at nodes. Four-sided, greenish-brown stems having chambered pith and solid pith at nodes (Forsythia suspensa has hollow internodes).

Purdue Plant Doctor

Parts and Problems of Forsythia

Special Characteristics:

Flowering Characteristics 285

Pollution Tolerant 217

Additional Information

The most showy forsythia cultivars are found in this vigorous and adaptable hybrid species. Cut stems excised in mid-winter will flower indoors due to very short chilling requirement. Hardy to USDA Zone 4 for vegetative parts and USDA 5(6) for flowers. Flower buds are killed by severe winters in zone 5, and frequently in colder zones. Plants, however, are hardy in Zone 4. Too big for most foundations and small border plantings (Don't Shear!). Remove old wood for best appearance.