Forsythia Shrub

Forsythia suspensa, commonly called weeping forsythia, is a deciduous shrub from China with long, arching branches. It opens yellow flowers on bare stems in early spring, and low branches that touch the ground can root and form a spreading colony ([NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/forsythia-suspensa/), [University of Wisconsin Extension](https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/forsythia-forsythia-spp/)). ## Siting and seasonal display Use full sun to partial shade and medium-moisture, well-drained soil, leaving room for the arching stems. NC State reports plants about 8–10 feet tall and 6–10 feet wide, while Wisconsin Extension describes forsythia types reaching 8–10 feet tall and 10–12 feet across. Flowers appear before the leaves, though the species’ display is paler than some other forsythias. ## Maintenance Prune soon after flowering because the next spring’s buds form on the previous year’s wood. Once established, periodically remove some of the oldest stems at ground level to keep the shrub open and limit its spread.