James H. Schutte
Family
Oleaceae
Botanical Name
Forsythia x intermedia 'Arnold Dwarf'
Plant Common Name
Arnold Dwarf Border Forsythia, Border Forsythia
General Description
Suitable as a shrub and groundcover, ‘Arnold Dwarf’ maintains a low mounding habit. It blooms in early spring like all other forsythias, but the flowers are less susceptible to frost damage because they are held closer to the ground.
This tried and true spring-flowering deciduous shrub is known by all and loved by many. Its cheerful bright yellow blooms appear before the foliage unfolds and are some of the first to appear. In fact, the early blooms often open too early and are damaged by frost. Forsythia x intermedia is the most popular hybrid in commerce and is a cross between the two Asian species Forsythia suspensa and F. viridissima.
When mature, this dwarf deciduous shrub develops a mounded habit. It bears bright yellow flowers with four prominent petals in late winter or early spring, depending on the temperature. The flowers are quick to appear in warm weather, which typically makes them vulnerable to damage during untimely warm spells. Its medium-green leaves are thin, plain and unassuming. They can develop purple hues before they drop in the fall but otherwise offer little in terms of visual interest.
Forsythia is very easy to grow. It grows best in full to partial sun and will tolerate a wide range of well-drained soil types. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, but the flower buds are only reliably hardy to zone 6. Prune judiciously to preserve its lovely arching habit. Forsythia has many landscape applications. It works well as a specimen plant, in informal hedges or massed in swaths across large open landscapes.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 9
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Sunset Zone
A2, A3, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Width
3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Late Winter
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Native To
Hybrid Origin
