How to Grow Forsythia Lynwood Gold at Home

When spring arrives, you want bright blooms to celebrate those warmer days ahead. Forsythia ‘Lynwood Gold’ is a shrub here to help you usher in the changing season with wild, yellow flowers. Keep reading to learn how to grow the Lynwood Gold Forsythia or Forsythia × intermedia at home including essential tips around planting, soil considerations, light exposure, watering cycles, fertilizing, pruning, and propagating. 

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How to Grow Forsythia Lynwood Gold – The Essentials

Botanical Name:	Forsythia × intermedia
Also Known As:	Forsythia ‘Lynwood Gold,’ Golden Bells, Border Forsythia, Easter Tree
Hardiness Zones:	USDA growing zones 4 through 8
Flowering Months:	Late winter to late spring, around March through April, depending on location.
Growing Difficulty:	Easy. Suitable for beginners.
Type of Plant:	Ornamental deciduous shrub
Light Requirements:	At least six hours of full sunlight for the best blooms. Will tolerate partial shade.
Temperature and Humidity:	Can endure temperatures down to around -10 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on location. Prefers a slightly humid environment.
Watering Needs:	Water during the plant’s first growing period. After that, rainfall may be enough to sustain Forsythia. Water regularly if weekly rainfall is less than two inches.
Soil Preferences:	Well-draining soil between 5 and 8 pH
Feeding:	A balanced, all-purpose fertilizer once every two or three months during the growing season. Don’t fertilize during this plant’s dormant winter period.
Growth Expectations:	Can reach between eight and ten feet or taller with a spread of ten to 12 feet. It can grow between two to four feet per year.
Toxicity:	Non-toxic to humans and pets.

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About Forsythia Lynwood Gold

Scientific Facts About Forsythia Lynwood Gold

The Lynwood Gold is one of 11 species that are a part of the Forsythia genus. Its scientific name is Forsythia × intermedia, and it’s a hybrid species. Experts believe it is a cross of the Forsythia suspensa and Forsythia viridissima.

Plants in the Forsythia genus are deciduous shrubs. These species, including the Lynwood Gold, are members of the olive family Oleaceae.

Forsythia Origins and History

The Forsythia ‘Lynwood Gold’ plant was first introduced in Europe in the 1980s. Most other species in the Forsythia genus, including the two used to create the Lynwood Gold, are native to various parts of Asia. 

The Forsythia genus gets its name from William Forsyth. He was a Scottish horticulturist who served as a royal head gardener. Interestingly, he was also a founding member of the Royal Horticultural Society. 

Funny enough, the species has come full circle to honor Forsyth’s legacy. A few cultivars, including the Lynwood Variety, have earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. 

For more, see our in-depth guide to Forsythia flower meaning and symbolism.

General Forsythia Lynwood Gold Botanical Characteristics

The Forsythia ‘Lynwood Gold’ is sometimes called golden bells because of its appearance. This deciduous shrub grows with both upright and arching branches. Its stems produce golden yellow, bell-shaped blooms.

The plant’s flowers are tubular, with thin, yellow petals. Its leaves are small and green and may turn a yellow or reddish-purple shade before they drop in the fall. 

Uses and Benefits of Forsythia Lynwood Gold

Due to its hardy nature, the Lynwood Gold is often grown as a hedge for gardens or parks. This is why it’s sometimes called Border Forsythia. 

Additionally, Forsythias are known to symbolize the arrival of spring. This is because their yellow flowers are often among the first to bloom after the winter ends. For this reason, Forsythias are sometimes called the Easter Tree. 

This shrub is not known for its ability to provide food for humans. While its petals are edible, they may have a bitter taste. 

The plant may attract birds, bees, and other pollinators with its blooms and long branches. However, after these creatures arrive, they may prefer other plants in your garden. 

Forsythia Lynwood Gold Bloom Time and Flowering Season

Forsythia ‘Lynwood Gold’ should bloom in early spring. The exact bloom time will depend on location. However, this plant will likely have some of the first blooms to arrive in your garden. 

Usually, these blooms will last for around two weeks. Afterward, green foliage will take over until leaves change color and fall in autumn. 

Growth Expectations for Forsythia Plants

The Lynwood Gold Forsythia will reach between eight and ten feet or taller, with a spread around ten to 12 feet. This plant can grow about two to four feet per year, depending on growing conditions. 

Best Companion Plants for Forsythia Lynwood Gold in the Garden 

Now, if you’re thinking of planting Border Forsythia, you may wonder what plants it grows well with. There are plenty of species that bloom at similar times to complement Forsythia’s yellow flowers. 

Here are a few plants you may want to grow with Golden Bells for an impressive way to ring in the spring season.

• Redbud trees
• Yoshino cherry trees
• Daffodils
• Tulips
• Flowering Quince
• Spirea

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How to Grow Forsythia Lynwood Gold

What Are the Best Locations to Plant Forsythia Lynwood Gold? 

People often plant Lynwood Gold shrubs as hedges in parks and gardens. Additionally, it makes a great border plant for yards. 

It’s also possible to plant Forsythia in a container. Just make sure to meet its growing requirements and repot every few years as needed. 

When choosing a location, remember the plant has stoloniferous roots. So, if a branch touches the earth, it can take root and form a new shrub. 

Make sure the plant has enough room to grow, and trim any low-hanging branches if you want to avoid new shrub growth.

Best Times of Year to Plant Forsythia Lynwood Gold

Remember, the Forsythia ‘Lynwood Gold’ will likely go dormant in the fall. This is the best time to plant new Forsythia shrubs in your garden if you live in a warmer climate.

However, if you live in a location with frost and freezing conditions, you should wait until early spring. This ensures shrubs avoid the colder weather and enjoy a fruitful growing season. 

Growing Forsythia Lynwood Gold from Seed vs. Young Nursery Plants

Many gardeners see Forsythia seeds as unreliable. This is particularly true for hybrid varieties like the Lynwood Gold. This is because hybrid seeds may not produce plants with the same traits or features as the parent plant. 

So, this indicates that it may be a better choice to plant Forsythia ‘Lynwood Gold’ as young nursery plants. You can find this hardy species at your local garden shop or plant nursery. 

What to Do Before Planting Forsythia Lynwood Gold

Before you planting Forsythia Lynwood Gold, there are a few factors you’ll want to consider. First, you’ll want to find a place to plant Forsythia. 

Decide whether you want to plant the shrub in a container or in your garden. Either way, make sure the plant can receive at least six hours of full sun each day and its other care requirements. 

You should also have the right soil, fertilizer, and other necessary items for growing Border Forsythia. We’ll offer a complete list of the materials and tools in the Essential Tools section below. 

What’s the Best Soil for Forsythia Lynwood Gold?

Forsythia enjoys loose and well-draining soil, though they can adapt to a variety of soil types. It’s also tolerant of both salty and dry soil conditions.

This species prefers soils that are neutral to slightly alkaline, from around 5 and 8 pH. 

How to Plant Forsythia Lynwood Gold

Now, it’s time to plant Forsythia Lynwood Gold. Here are some steps for planting beautiful Easter Trees. 

• Choose a location where the plant will receive at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Make sure the shrub has enough room to grow at least eight feet tall and ten feet wide. 
• Plant Forsythia in loose and well-draining soil if possible. 
• Plant the Lynwood Gold in a hole at least twice as wide as the plant’s root system. 
• Don’t place this plant too deep into the ground. You want the top of the root system to be almost even with the ground’s surface.
• Once you’ve planted the root ball, add soil to fill any gaps around the plant.
• Water thoroughly. 

Forsythia Lynwood Gold Light Preferences 

Forsythia ‘Lynwood Gold’ prefers at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. However, this plant is also tolerant of partial shade. If Forsythias get more sun, they will reward you with more abundant blooms. 

Forsythia Lynwood Gold Temperature and Humidity Preferences 

Luckily, Lynwood Golds are a fairly cold-hardy species. They can endure temperatures down to around -10 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on location. Its buds may die or won’t bloom at all if temperatures drop too low. 

This plant prefers a slightly humid environment. However, this plant may not thrive if it sits too long in overly wet soil. 

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How to Care for Forsythia Lynwood Gold

Watering Forsythia Lynwood Gold

If you’ve recently planted Forsythia, you should water it regularly during that first growing period. After that, rainfall may be enough to hydrate this plant. However, if weekly rainfall is less than two inches, consider watering the plant.

How, When, and Why to Fertilize Forsythia Lynwood Gold

Forsythia will thrive without fertilizer. However, it may appreciate a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer once every two or three months during the growing season.

Remember, you should avoid fertilizing Lynwood Golds once they go dormant in the fall. Allow the plant to rest during the winter and begin fertilizing again in the spring. 

Pruning Forsythia Lynwood Gold

It’s important to prune Forsythias each year to avoid too much growth. The best time to do this is right after its blooming cycle ends. 

Make sure to prune Lynwood Golds by summer at the latest. That way, the plant has plenty of time to recover and produce new buds the following spring. 

To prune Forsythia × intermedia plants, you’ll need both pruning shears and loppers. Use the pruning shears to trim back thinner branches and loppers to cut thicker growth. 

Always cut branches where they connect with another branch, or at the base of the plant. Remove dead or damaged stems. Cut away around a quarter of the oldest stems at the base of the plant if Forsythia is overgrown.

Remember, you should avoid trimming the tops of Lynwood Gold plants. Shearing at the top can cause unsightly overgrowth concentrated at the top of the plant.

Forsythia Lynwood Gold Propagation 

As this plant has stoloniferous roots, it’s fairly easy to propagate. In fact, you can use Forsythia cuttings from pruning to grow new Lynwood Gold shrubs in your yard or garden. Here are the steps for propagating Forsythia from stem cuttings. 

1. After pruning Forsythias, find a healthy stem to use for propagation.
2. Cut this stem into six-inch pieces, and remove any leaves from the lower half of each cutting. 
3. Apply root powder to the bottom side of each cutting.
4. Dig a narrow hole in the ground about half as deep as cuttings are long. 
5. Place cuttings in their holes and pack soil around them.
6. Water the plants and wait around one month to see new growth form.

Overwintering Forsythia Lynwood Gold

Forsythias are cold-hardy, but they may need special treatment in the winter if temperatures are low.

 You can apply mulch to the base of this plant to keep its temperature regulated during the cold months. Additionally, some gardeners use a screen with good airflow to protect their Golden Bells in the winter.

When and How to Repot Forsythia Lynwood Gold Plants Grown in Containers 

Forsythias containers need repotting every two to three years. Do this after the blooming cycle in the spring or just before the plant goes dormant in the fall. Here’s how to repot Forsythia ‘Lynwood Gold’ grown in containers. 

• Find a terracotta pot that is a similar size or slightly larger than the container your plant came in. 
• Make a mix of potting soil and organic compost and add to the base of the container.
• Plant Forsythia in the container and fill in the gaps with soil. The top of its root ball should sit at the soil’s surface.
• Water deeply and place the plant in a spot that receives at least six hours o sunlight per day.

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Common Problems and How to Treat Them

Signs of Watering Issues

If Lynwood Gold gets too much water or its soil does not drain well, it can develop root rot. If this happens, you will need to remove the infected area and plant the shrub in fresh, clean soil. Make sure its soil drains well and reduce any watering as needed. 

Signs Forsythia is Getting Too Much Light

You Forsythia will enjoy full sunlight, so too much sun shouldn’t be an issue. However, if the plant’s soil becomes too dry, you may want to water it to supplement the precipitation it receives. 

Signs of Temperature Issues

Forsythia is tolerant of a variety of temperatures. However, if it’s exposed to temperatures below -10 degrees Fahrenheit, you may notice that its blooms suffer or die. If you live in a cold area, you may need to protect the plant with mulch, a screen, or by planting it in a container you can bring indoors. 

Common Pests and Diseases 

Luckily, Forsythia Lynwood Gold doesn’t experience many issues due to pests or diseases. However, this species can occasionally have problems with insects like weevils or nematodes.

If you notice an infestation, you can remove pests or introduce a natural predator species like spiders or ladybugs. Make sure to remove dead or damaged areas of the plant and always keep garden tools clean.

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Essential Tools to Have Around 

Despite this plant’s easy care needs, you’ll want to have a few essential tools around for Forsythia plants. Here’s our list of the tools to have around when growing Forsythia Lynwood Gold plants at home. 

• Loose, well-draining soil
• Moisture meter if needed
• Pruning shears
• Loppers
• Balanced or high-phosphorus fertilizer
• Root powder for propagation
• Shovel
• Mulch or a screen for winter protection
• Terracotta pot if planting in a container

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Wrapping Up

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance shrub that stands out in your garden, the Lynwood Gold Forsythia is an excellent choice. This plant’s bright blooms announce the first days of spring and bring a touch of sunshine to any outdoor space. With a bit of care, you’ll be set to enjoy this sunny plant for years to come.

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Growing Forsythia Lynwood Gold FAQs

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