1 named cultivar

‘Bronxensis’Bronxensis Dwarf Forsythia

shrub

Dwarf Forsythia

The Story

Plant Bio

Forsythia viridissima, greenstem forsythia, is an upright deciduous shrub from southern China and Korea, six to ten feet in both directions. Distinctly square green stems carry opposite lance-shaped leaves four to six inches long, and yellow trumpet-shaped flowers open along the bare wood in early spring before the foliage.

The green stems stay green through winter, which distinguishes it from the more common hybrid forsythias and gives it a second season of interest. It flowers on the previous year's wood, so prune within a few weeks of the flowers fading — pruning in late winter, which is when most people tidy shrubs, removes the entire display.

Uses & Benefits:

Early yellow flowers on bare wood, then square green stems that hold colour through winter.

Tough, adaptable and easy to root, making a quick informal screen on poor ground.

Early bees visit the flowers, though the nectar value is modest compared with native spring shrubs.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

96 inches

Width

96 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Southern China and Korea

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Allow six to ten feet in both directions.
Plant in full sun for the heaviest flowering.
Give it any reasonably drained soil.
Prune within weeks of flowering, never later.
Thin a third of the oldest stems at the base each year.
Avoid shearing, which removes flower buds wholesale.

Pro Tip

The green winter stems are a second season of interest, so thin at the base rather than shearing the top and losing them.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune straight after flowering ✂️
Thin the oldest stems at the base 🪵
Give it full sun ☀️
Allow it eight feet of width 📏

Don't

Prune it in late winter ❌
Shear it into a ball ❌
Assume it stays dwarf ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Enjoy
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Early spring flowering shrub borderInformal screen or bank plantingWinter stem interest in a large garden

Companion Plants

Daffodil Grape Hyacinth Lilac Spirea Hellebore

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Dwarf Forsythia questions

What zones can Dwarf Forsythia grow in?

Dwarf Forsythia is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Dwarf Forsythia deer resistant?

Yes — Dwarf Forsythia is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Dwarf Forsythia bloom?

Dwarf Forsythia typically blooms in early spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Dwarf Forsythia need full sun?

Dwarf Forsythia does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Dwarf Forsythia drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Dwarf Forsythia handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.