356 gardener saves
Forsythia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 18 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Forsythia varieties
Of 18 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedShow Off Forsythia
Forsythia x intermedia 'Show Off'
#2 most savedLynwood Gold Forsythia
Forsythia x intermedia 'Lynwood Gold'
#3 most savedMagical Gold Forsythia
Forsythia x intermedia 'Magical Gold'
Nimbus Forsythia
Forsythia intermedia 'Nimbus'
Meadowlark Forsythia
Forsythia 'Meadowlark'
New Hampshire Gold Forsythia
Forsythia intermedia 'New Hampshire Gold'
Forsythia
Forsythia intermedia 'Mindor'
Magical Gold Forsythia
Forsythia intermedia 'Kolgold'
Showy Border Forsythia
Forsythia intermedia 'Showy Border'
Forsythia
Forsythia intermedia 'Northern Gold'
Bronxensis Dwarf Forsythia
Forsythia viridissima 'Bronxensis'
Show Off Sugar Baby Forsythia
Forsythia intermedia 'Minfor6'
Browse all 18 Forsythia varieties →
How to grow Forsythia
What the Forsythia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 18 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Forsythia year
- PruneApril and May100% of varieties
Prune immediately after flowering to shape and control size.
- FertilizeMarch89% of varieties
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in late winter if needed.
- PropagateMay and June61% of varieties
Take softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October44% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall in a location with full sun.
Do
- Provide full sun for maximum flower production.
- Water deeply during extended periods of drought.
- Plant in full sun for the most prolific blooms.
- Water regularly during dry spells 💧
- Prune immediately after flowering for shaping.
Avoid
- Don't prune in late summer, fall, or winter.
- Don't prune into a tight, formal shape.
- Don't prune in late summer or fall.
- Don't plant in poorly drained, boggy soil.
What goes wrong with Forsythia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | May appear on new growth in spring. | Usually not a significant problem. A strong spray of water or insecticidal soap will control them. |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on leaves, stippling or yellowing of foliage. | Spray forcefully with water to dislodge them. Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. A miticide can be used for severe infestations. |
| Four-lined Plant Bug | Small, circular, sunken spots on leaves that turn brown or black. | Usually cosmetic damage. For heavy infestations, use insecticidal soap or pyrethrin-based sprays when bugs are first seen. |
| Scale insects | Sticky residue and shell-like insects | Apply horticultural oil in early spring |
| Crown Gall | Large, woody galls forming on the roots and at the crown of the plant. | There is no cure. Remove and destroy infected plants. Do not replant Forsythia in the same spot. |
| Leaf Spot | Dark spots on leaves, which may cause premature leaf drop. | Improve air circulation. Rake up and destroy fallen leaves. Apply a copper-based fungicide if the problem is severe. |
| Crown gall | Swollen galls on roots and stems | Remove infected plants and avoid planting in infected soil |
Making more Forsythia
Softwood Cuttings
- Take 6-inch cuttings in late spring.
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone.
- Stick in moist potting mix.
- Roots will form in 6-8 weeks.
Layering
- Bend a low-growing branch to the ground.
- Lightly wound the bark that touches the soil.
- Pin it down and cover with soil.
- Roots form in one season; then sever from parent.
Forsythia questions
How many types of Forsythia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 18 distinct Forsythia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 356 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Forsythia grow in?
Across its varieties, Forsythia covers USDA Zones 4–8. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Forsythia bloom?
Most Forsythia varieties bloom in early spring, late winter. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Forsythia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Forsythia shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Forsythia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
