Forsythia suspensa
weeping forsythia
A deciduous, arching shrub to 3m tall and wide. Slender shoots bear nodding, narrowly-trumpet-shaped, yellow flowers, up to 3cm across, in spring before the leaves appear. Leaves are usually undivided but may occasionally be three-lobed
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Yellow | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | |||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Forsythia are deciduous shrubs with simple, occasionally lobed, leaves and short tubular yellow flowers with 4 spreading lobes, borne profusely before the leaves in spring
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- C & EC China
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows best in moist but well-drained soil in full sun
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
- Wall side borders
- Banks and slopes
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to birds eating the flower buds
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus and forsythia gall
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.