Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
A hardy cultivar, the Northern Gold Forsythia is ideal for adding some spring color in colder areas. Growing to around 6 to 8 feet high, it produces a wonderful and cheering display of golden-yellow flowers in April. Tough and easy to grow, this forsythia is tolerant of many growing conditions and has a multitude of uses.
Northern Gold was specifically bred in Canada to cope with the cold and is more hardy than other forsythias, growing well in zones 3 to 6. It is fast growing and is even left alone by Bambi, Thumper and their friends. Perfect for a cottage garden planting scheme, you can also grow Northern Gold Forsythia as a hedge or a free-standing specimen.
Northern Gold Forsythia Care
The best flowering displays are produced when Northern Gold is grown in full sun to partial shade. It prefers fertile and well-drained soil that is kept moist. Poor soil can be enriched with compost prior to planting, and a general fertilizer can be applied in late winter to help encourage more blooms. Deep and regular watering is required for the first two years at least. It shows some drought tolerance once established, but it prefers moist moist.
The Northern Gold Forsythia naturally forms a pleasing shape. To maintain plant health and vigor, you can remove up to one-third of the oldest stems annually immediately after flowering.
Northern Gold Forsythia Spacing
Once established, the Northern Gold Forsythia can reach 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. If grown as a group, you can space this shrub around 5 to 7 feet apart.
Northern Gold Forsythia Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 6 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 6-8 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 6-8 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Columnar, Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Yellow
- Flower Description
- Golden Yellow
- Bloom Time
- Early Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Deep Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Winter Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Northern Gold Forsythia
- Also Known As
- Northern Gold Forsythia
- Botanical Name
- Forsythia 'Northern Gold'
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
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