Forsythia x intermedia 'Lynwood'
flowerLynwood Gold (also sold as Lynwood Variety) is the standard golden-bells forsythia, one of the first and most cheerful signs of spring. It is a vigorous, upright, somewhat arching deciduous shrub growing six to nine feet tall and as wide, and in late winter to early spring, well before its leaves appear and ahead of almost everything else, its bare branches light up from top to bottom with brilliant four-lobed yellow flowers. A branch sport selected for flowers that line the stems more evenly than older types, it is tough, fast, and adaptable, long planted as a specimen, an informal hedge, or a bank cover. Cut branches taken in late winter force easily into early bloom indoors.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 7 days
Bloom
~10 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
6-8 ft apart
Planting Depth
Set the root ball level with the soil surface
Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Soil Type
Loose, average, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5 – 8
When to Fertilize
Lightly in early spring if growth is weak
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer or compost
Forsythia is one of the easiest shrubs to grow - give it full sun for the heaviest flowering (it tolerates part shade but blooms less) in loose, medium-moisture, well-drained soil, and it shrugs off poor and clay soils and moderate drought once established. It is hardy in zones 5 to 8, though the flower buds can be killed in an open winter when temperatures drop below about five degrees below zero, so northern gardeners may see leaves but few flowers in a hard year. The crucial rule is pruning timing: forsythia blooms on old wood (last year branches), so prune immediately after it finishes flowering in spring - pruning later than midsummer cuts off next spring flowers. Left unpruned it gets rangy; thin out the oldest stems at the base each year, or cut the whole plant near the ground every few years to rejuvenate.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Direct sow
Apr 15
Projected first bloom
Apr 25
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Cluster on tender new shoots - rinse off with water and encourage ladybugs; rarely a real problem on this tough shrub
Cause fine stippling in hot dry weather - rinse the foliage and keep the plant from drought stress
A bacterial disease causing rough galls at the base - buy clean plants, avoid wounding the crown, and remove and destroy badly affected plants
Minor fungal spotting in wet summers - give airflow, water at the base, and clear fallen leaves
Forsythia is famous for forcing - in late winter, cut budded branches, bring them indoors, and stand them in water in a cool room, and they burst into golden bloom in a week or two, weeks ahead of the garden. Outdoors, the only real task is pruning right after the spring flowers fade (it blooms on old wood, so later cuts remove next year flowers); thin the oldest canes at ground level to keep it open and graceful rather than letting it become a tangled mound.
An ornamental shrub grown for its early-spring color. The very early flowers offer a little nectar and pollen to bees venturing out on warm late-winter days, and the dense twiggy growth gives birds nesting and shelter cover, but it is grown above all as the cheerful first splash of spring. Non-toxic and safe around pets and children.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.