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212
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Bloom calendar
Northern Gold
Hybrid forsythia for cold regions (deciduous shrub) · Felicitas Svejda; selected by D. R. Sampson; 1979; Canada
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Hybrid forsythia for cold regions (deciduous shrub)
- Height × spread: 6-8 ft × 5-7 ft (1.8-2.4 m × 1.5-2.1 m)
- Bloom window: March to April
- Color & flower form: Golden yellow; single, 4‑lobed
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: zones 3-8
- Breeder / Year / Origin: Felicitas Svejda; selected by D. R. Sampson; 1979; Canada
- 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
- More cold‑reliable bloom than typical border forsythia.
- Flowers often to stem tips after severe winters.
- Mid‑height outline fits hedges without overpowering small yards.
Strengths
- Selected for bud hardiness and northern reliability.
- Dependable early color in zones 3 and 4.
- Manageable size and habit.
Care in one minute
Full sun; choose a site with winter sun and good air drainage.
Average, well‑drained soil; tolerates varied textures once established.
Water to establish; water during extended summer droughts.
Renewal‑prune after bloom; remove a portion of the oldest canes at the base.
Watch‑outs
- Requires full sun for best bloom in cold regions.
- Prune only after bloom to preserve next year’s buds.
Best uses (tags)
Provenance note
Developed at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa; sources differ on parentage, reporting crosses that involve Forsythia × intermedia with F. ovata or F. europaea; introduced in 1979.
References
- University of Minnesota Extension. Forsythia – cold‑hardy cultivars.
- Chicago Botanic Garden. Forsythia ‘Northern Gold’.
- Trees and Shrubs Online. Forsythia ‘Northern Gold’ – selection history and hardiness.
- ASPCA. Golden Bells (Forsythia) – Non‑toxic.
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