Forsythia × intermedia 'Spring Glory'
An early‑flowering selection valued for deep yellow bloom. Flowers open before leaves and can precede ‘Lynwood Gold’ by several days. Plants are upright and vigorous and suit hedges and back‑of‑border sites. Best performance is in full sun and average, well‑drained soil. Flower buds are less cold‑hardy than some modern selections, especially in exposed zone‑5 sites.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Hybrid border forsythia (deciduous shrub)
- Height × spread: 8-10 ft × 6-8 ft (2.4-3.0 m × 1.8-2.4 m)
- Bloom window: early spring
- Color & flower form: Deep yellow; single, 4‑lobed
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: zones 5-8 (buds less hardy)
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown; 1942; USA
- Cut‑flower notes: forces easily; vase life about 5-7 days when kept cool
- Pet safety: safe (ASPCA: non‑toxic to cats and dogs)
How it differs
- Often blooms about five days earlier than ‘Lynwood Gold’.
- Deep yellow display on upright canes.
- Buds more prone to cold injury than some newer types.
Strengths
- Very early spring color.
- Strong grower for informal hedges.
Care in one minute
- Full sun for best flowering.
- Average, well‑drained soil; neutral to slightly acidic pH.
- Water to establish; water in prolonged droughts afterward.
- Renewal‑prune after bloom; thin oldest stems at the base.
Watch‑outs
- Buds can be damaged near −10 °F (−23 °C).
- Pruning after mid‑summer removes next year’s bloom.
Best uses (tags)
hedges; borders; forcing; backdrop
Provenance note
Discovered in Ohio in 1930 and introduced in 1942; long grown as an early standard of border forsythia.
References
- Clemson HGIC. Forsythia – cultivar notes including ‘Spring Glory’.
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder. Forsythia × intermedia – culture and pruning timing.
- ASPCA. Golden Bells (Forsythia) – Non‑toxic.
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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