History

• The forsythia gained its name from a Scottish horticulturist, William Forsyth, who lived during the 18th century. This deciduous shrub came from China, Korea and Europe.
  
  

Growth Habit

• This fast-growing shrub reaches a height of between 8 and 9 feet. It thrives in full sun where it produces an abundance of flowers. Forsythia can grow in partial shade, but it won't flower profusely like it does in full sun.
  
  

Geography

• Before purchasing a forsythia, check with the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to see if it thrives in your location. Many cultivars exist, but not all of them share the same cold hardiness. If you live in the colder Northern regions with temperatures reaching down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, the cultivar Meadowlark can survive in your landscape.