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Spectabilis
Hybrid border forsythia (deciduous shrub)
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Hybrid border forsythia (deciduous shrub)
- Height × spread: 8-13 ft × 5-8 ft (2.5-4.0 m × 1.5-2.5 m)
- Bloom window: March to April (early to mid‑spring)
- Color & flower form: Deep yellow; large single
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: zones 5-8
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown; 1906; unknown
- 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
- Taller and more fountain‑shaped than modern compact forms.
- Large, brassy yellow flowers.
- Preferred where height for screening is needed.
Strengths
- Fast growth and dependable bloom in full sun.
- Long, arching stems create a dramatic display.
Care in one minute
Full sun for strongest flowering.
Average, well‑drained soil; tolerates clay after establishment.
Water to establish; irrigate in extended droughts.
Renewal‑prune right after bloom; avoid midsummer and fall pruning.
Watch‑outs
- Large size needs room and periodic renewal pruning.
- Flower buds can be lost below about −5 °F (−21 °C).
Best uses (tags)
Provenance note
Marketed by Späth Nursery, Berlin, from about 1905 and planted at the Arnold Arboretum in 1908; an early standard of the hybrid group.
References
- Royal Horticultural Society. Forsythia × intermedia ‘Spectabilis’.
- Trees and Shrubs Online. Forsythia × intermedia – notes on ‘Spectabilis’.
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder. Forsythia × intermedia – culture and bud notes.
- ASPCA. Golden Bells (Forsythia) – Non‑toxic.
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