Images Depict Mature Plants
Lynwood Gold Forsythia
Forsythia x intermedia 'Lynwood'
Lynwood Gold is the forsythia that makes spring feel official—big, bright yellow blooms that show up early, fast growth that fills space like a real hedge should, and a deer-resistant toughness that makes it easier to trust in everyday landscapes. Just remember the one golden rule: prune right after bloom, not later, and it’ll keep rewarding you with that wall-of-sunshine show year after year.
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Lynwood Gold Forsythia With Brilliant Yellow Blooms And Fast Hedge Growth
Classic Forsythia Spring Color That Lights Up The Whole Yard
Lynwood Gold Forsythia is the iconic “spring is here” shrub—brilliant yellow flowers bursting along the stems before most plants even leaf out. When it blooms, it’s not subtle: it’s a bold wall of color that brightens the entire landscape and makes a property feel instantly cheerful and alive. This is the shrub people remember from childhood gardens and neighborhood hedges, and it still earns its place because it delivers reliable early-season impact year after year.
The bloom window is early, which makes Lynwood Gold especially valuable for curb appeal. It fills that late-winter-to-early-spring gap when most beds are still quiet. Plant it near an entry, along a driveway, or in a visible border where the yellow can do its job as the “first big color moment.” You can even cut branches in late winter and force them indoors for a vase of sunshine—one of the most satisfying little spring rituals in the garden.
Fast Growth For Flowering Hedges, Screens, And Big Borders
Lynwood Gold is known for vigorous growth and a large, arching habit, typically maturing around 6–8 feet tall and 6–8 feet wide. That size is exactly why it works so well as a hedge or screen: it fills space quickly and creates a dense seasonal boundary with a huge bloom show. In a row, it reads as a flowering privacy hedge in spring and a lush green backdrop for the rest of the growing season.
As a specimen shrub, it offers dramatic form—arching stems that create a fountain-like silhouette. In mixed borders, it plays the role of “structure plus spring fireworks”: it anchors the back of the bed, then steps back into a clean, green presence when other plants take over. Give it room to mature, and you’ll get a healthier shrub with better airflow, less maintenance, and more consistent flowering from base to tip.
Deer-Resistant, Adaptable Performance With Easy Establishment
Lynwood Gold Forsythia is generally considered deer-resistant, which makes it a smart choice in landscapes where browsing pressure is common. It’s also adaptable to a wide range of soils as long as drainage is reasonable, and it performs best in full sun to partial sun. Full sun typically produces the heaviest bloom, but it can still perform in partial sun, especially if it receives several hours of direct light.
For the best long-term flowering, focus on establishing a strong foundation. The first season is about roots: water deeply, mulch to stabilize moisture, and avoid letting the plant struggle through drought. Forsythia sets next spring’s bloom buds on the growth it makes this season, so a healthy summer and fall equals a better bloom show the following spring. Once established, it’s a tough shrub that can handle typical yard conditions while still delivering that signature yellow spring display.
Pruning That Keeps Blooms Heavy And Hedges Looking Polished
Forsythia blooms on old wood, which means pruning timing matters more than anything else. Prune Lynwood Gold right after it finishes flowering in spring, not in late winter. If you prune too late, you remove the buds that would have flowered next year. Keep routine shaping light after bloom, and use renewal pruning to keep the shrub vigorous and bloom-heavy over the long haul.
For renewal, remove a portion of the oldest stems at the base every couple of years to encourage strong new shoots that will carry future flowers. If you’re maintaining a hedge, trim after bloom and keep the base slightly wider than the top so sunlight reaches lower branches, and the hedge stays full. Done this way, Lynwood Gold remains dense, attractive, and reliable—rather than turning into a tall, leggy shrub with flowers only at the top.
| Hardiness Zone: | 5-8 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 6 to 8 feet |
| Mature Width: | 6 to 8 Feet |
| Sunlight: | Full sun to partial sun |
| Bloom Time / Color | Early spring; bright yellow flowers |
| Pruning Season: | In late spring after flowering |
| Soil Condition: | Adaptable; best in well-drained soil |
| Water Requirement: | Moderate; water well until established |
| Wildlife Value | Early-season nectar interest when in bloom |
| Resistance (deer/disease/drought/etc.) | Deer resistant; tolerant once established |
| Landscape Uses | Flowering hedges, screens, borders, specimens, back-of-bed structure, forcing branches indoors |
How to Care for Lynwood Gold Forsythia
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Lynwood Gold Forsythia plant for years to come!
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How should I plant Lynwood Gold Forsythia?
Plant Lynwood Gold Forsythia in full sun to partial sun in well-drained soil. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep, set the shrub so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil, then backfill and water deeply to settle roots. If your soil is sandy, mix in compost to help retain moisture; if it’s heavy clay, loosen the surrounding area and add organic matter to improve rooting and drainage. Finish with a 2–3 inch mulch ring to stabilize moisture and temperature, keeping mulch a few inches away from the stems. For hedge plantings, stake out your planting line and spacing first so the row stays straight and each plant has room to mature without crowding.
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How often should I water Lynwood Gold Forsythia after planting?
For the first 2–3 weeks, water every 2–3 days so the root zone stays evenly moist (not soggy). After that, transition to deep watering about once per week, increasing to once or twice weekly during hot, dry weather. A slow soak at the base is best because it encourages deeper roots and stronger establishment. Once established, Lynwood Gold is fairly tolerant, but consistent moisture during summer supports better growth—and that growth is what carries next spring’s flower buds. During prolonged drought, a deep weekly soak helps keep the shrub vigorous and improves next season’s bloom density.
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When should I fertilize Lynwood Gold Forsythia?
Fertilize in early spring as new growth begins using a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. This supports healthy branching without pushing overly soft growth. If your soil is already reasonably fertile, an annual top-dressing of compost plus refreshed mulch can be enough to keep the plant thriving. Avoid heavy fertilizing late in summer, which can encourage tender growth at the wrong time. In hedge plantings, moderate spring feeding paired with consistent watering helps the row fill in evenly and stay dense from top to bottom.
When and how should I prune Lynwood Gold Forsythia?
Prune Lynwood Gold Forsythia right after it finishes flowering in spring. This timing is critical because forsythia blooms on old wood, and pruning later can remove next year’s flower buds. Start by removing dead or damaged branches, then do light shaping to maintain the hedge or the natural arching form. Every couple of years, remove some of the oldest stems at the base to renew the shrub and encourage vigorous new shoots. If you’re maintaining a hedge, trim after bloom and keep the base wider than the top so sunlight reaches lower branches and the hedge stays full and flowering throughout.
