Meadowlark Forsythia

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

7-8 Feet

Mature Spread

5-6 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 8

Forsythia is a classic spring blooming shrub. The yellow blooms usher in warmer weather and signal that it is time to start spending more time in our gardens. Meadowlark Forsythia is an upright variety that not only has the standard yellow flower display in April, it will add to your other fall foliage colors in the garden.

Meadowlark Forsythia is the hardiest variety of all Forsythia and has a complete bud set even in the colder hardiness zones. The overall shape is semi-arching and will gracefully fill in open spots at the back of a Cottage Garden or work as a medium sized informal hedge if planted in groups. The green foliage in summer makes a lovely backdrop to perennials.

Meadowlark Forsythia Care

Forsythia likes to be planted in full sun, but will tolerate part shade. Shade either early in the day or late in the afternoon will not cause issues with blooming. Average soil texture and a neutral pH are fine. Well drained soil that doesn’t get waterlogged during the winter is perfect. Forsythia will require supplemental irrigation during extended hot or dry spells. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses help to keep the foliage dry and free from fungus and mildew infections.

Pruning of Forsythia is done after the blooms have finished in May. Cutting out diseased, dying, dead and diagonal growth now will help to shape the shrub and encourage good growth during the summer. Forsythia bloom on old wood, so early spring pruning poses the risk of cutting out flower stems. Forsythia is one of the classic “forcing” shrubs for early spring. Cutting stray branches just as the buds form and placing a vase of room temperature water will force the stem to continue blooming and make for an attractive indoor display. 

Meadowlark Forsythia Spacing

Meadowlark is a medium-sized shrub that grows to a mature height of 7-8 feet and a width of 5-6 feet. It is great in a mixed, informal hedge. Planting at 5 feet on center is recommended. Underplanting of bulbs or low growing perennials is best done at a space of 16 inches from the base of the shrub.