Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00000623
11/12/99

Forsythia x intermedia--Border Forsythia


Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Height: 9 ft Spread: 11 ft Form: rounded
Type: deciduous shrub
Annual Growth Rate: more than 18 inches
Flowers: Yellow

Comments: Forsythia is one of the most common spring
flowering shrubs, with its yellow (Vis. 12) flowers
occurring before the leaves appear. Plant in a sunny
growing area with a well-drained soil. This rapid grower
transplants well and occasionally needs rejuvenation by
cutting off old wood at ground level. After a severe
winter, only the protected lower branches (Vis. 13) have
flowers.

Cultivars:
'Arnold Dwarf' - The result of a cross between F. x
intermedia and F. japonica var. saxatilis. The plant
grows 3 feet tall (Vis. 3) and will spread twice that.
Though useful as a ground cover the flowers are
produced but sparsely.
'Beatrix Farrand' - An 8- to 10 foot tall plant with
yellow flowers having orange markings. The flower is
often 2 inches across.
x 'Courtalyn' (Week End TM) - A dwarf, about a third
smaller than 'Lynwood'. The flowers open later than
many other forsythia.
x 'Courtasol' (Gold Tide TM) - A dwarf that combines good
branching (Vis. 1) characteristics with heavy flower
(Vis. 2) production. The plant will spread 4 feet but
be only 20 inches high.
'Fiesta' - Yellow and green leaves (Vis. 4), combined
with red stems provide color all season.
'Goldleaf' - The lime green spring foliage turns yellow
in summer (Vis. 5).
'Goldzanber' - A robust, wide plant with yellow
flowers.
'Karl Sax' - Large, golden yellow flowers (Vis. 6).
'Lynwood' ('Lynwood Gold') - A 7 foot tall plant with
deep yellow flowers (Vis. 7) and a dense, upright
growth habit.
'Maluch' - A vigorous cultivar with yellow flowers and
grayish foliage.
'Minigold Fiesta' - The foliage is variegated with
yellow markings.
'New Hampshire Gold' - A five foot tall plant hardy to
-35 degrees (Vis. 8).
'Northern Gold' - Another hardy hybrid with golden
yellow flowers (Vis. 9).
'Northern Sun' - A hardy introduction by the Minnesota
Landscape Arboretum. The clear yellow flowers are
three-fourths inch wide and an inch long (Vis. 10).
'Rebel' - The foliage on this 5- to 6 foot plant is
green with yellow stripes.
'Spectabilis' - An 8-foot plant with bright yellow
flowers.
'Spring Glory' - 6- to 8 feet with large, pale yellow
flowers. Upright, arching form.
'Sunrise' - An Iowa State introduction with bright
yellow flowers (Vis. 11).
'Tremonia' - Deeply serrated foliage and yellow
flowers.

References for Cultivars: Ray Wiegand's Nursery 1999,
Bailey Nurseries 1999, Spring Meadow Nursery 1999, Weston
Nurseries 1999, Lake County Nursery 1997, Princeton
Nurseries 1999, J. Frank Schmidt and Son 1999, Monrovia
Nursery Company 1997, Wayside Gardens 1999, Sheridan
Nurseries 1999, Studebaker Nurseries 1999, Berryhill
Nurseries 1999, Scarff's Nursery 1999, Gee Farms 1999,
Willoway Nurseries 1999,Carlton Plants 1999.


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