Its blaze of yellow flowers is surely one of the first harbingers of spring. Forsythia are widely recognized for their utility in a shrub border, a bank, or for hedging, and their light to deep yellow, four-petaled flowers.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw

You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
- 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
- 1-1/8-inch stroke length
- Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm

Buy at Amazon

Scotts Cordless Grass-Shear/Shrub-Trimmer Combo

With a built-in 7.2-volt lithium-ion battery, this little guy weighs less than 2 lb. and can zip through all your minor pruning tasks quickly and easily.
- 13.5 x 3 x 5 inches
- Uses a 7.2-Volt 2Ah high-capacity built-in lithium-ion battery; Includes a fast charger

Buy at Amazon

Black and Decker 22-inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer

Quick and easy to put into operation and is less noisy and lighter in weight than gas-powered hedge trimmers.
- 38 x 7 x 7 inches
- 6.9 pounds
- 1 Lithium Ion battery required (included)

Buy at Amazon

DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw with 6-Piece Saw Blade Set

You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
- 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
- 1-1/8-inch stroke length
- Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm
- DW4856 Metal/Woodcutting Reciprocating Saw Blade Set, 6-Piece

Buy at Amazon

Noteworthy CharacteristicsThe branches are great for arrangements and are easy to force in late winter.

CareGrow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Choice cultivars are suitable for specimen planting or rock garden placement. Prune after flowering (one option is to remove the oldest stems and selectively shape).

PropagationTake greenwood cuttings in late spring or early summer, take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer.

ProblemsArabis mosaic virus, stem gall, dieback, root knot nematode, leaf spot.

• Genus : Forsythia
• Zones : 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
• Tolerance : Deer Tolerant
• Light : Full Sun to Partial Shade
• Moisture : Medium Moisture
• Maintenance : Moderate
• Plant Type : Shrubs
• Bloom Time : Spring
• Plant Seasonal Interest : Spring Interest
• Flower Color : Yellow