The Forsythia shrub is famously recognized for its bright yellow blossoms, which often serve as one of the first heralds of spring. This deciduous plant is celebrated for its brief floral show that occurs before its leaves emerge from the buds. Once the flowers fade, the plant transitions from a bright yellow spectacle to a dense, green background shrub that provides reliable structure and foliage throughout the entire summer season.
Summer Foliage
After the flowers drop in spring, the shrub quickly fills out with its summer foliage. The leaves are typically a medium to dark green color, creating a uniform, lush texture that acts as a dependable green backdrop. These leaves grow in an opposite arrangement along the stems.
The individual leaf shape is generally ovate or lanceolate, characterized by an elongated oval shape that tapers to a pointed tip. While the leaf margins are often entire, some varieties exhibit a slightly serrated edge near the tip of the leaf. The plant does not produce any flowers during the summer period. The foliage remains on the shrub well into the fall.
Mature Growth Habit
In its mature summer state, Forsythia develops a large, often spreading form with a dense canopy of leaves. Many cultivars possess a naturally arching or fountain-like growth habit, with branches that gracefully curve outward. If left unpruned, the shrub can reach a substantial height and spread, often growing between 8 to 10 feet tall and equally wide. The dense foliage allows the shrub to function effectively as a seasonal privacy screen or informal hedge.
The main structure consists of multiple brownish-gray woody stems, which can become somewhat leggy near the base if the shrub is older. This vigorous growth creates a thick, rounded silhouette that anchors garden borders and offers reliable visual mass through the warmest months.
Summer Care and Pruning
Pruning
Summer is the period when maintenance is focused on preparing the shrub for the following spring’s bloom. Since Forsythia flowers on old wood—the growth produced the previous year—the correct time for heavy pruning is immediately after the spring bloom ends, which often falls in early to mid-summer. Pruning too late will remove the newly formed flower buds for the next season, resulting in a sparse floral display. Pruning should involve removing about one-quarter to one-third of the oldest, thickest stems right down to the ground to encourage fresh, vigorous new growth.
Summer Care
This rejuvenation method helps maintain the shrub’s natural arching shape and prevents it from becoming an overgrown, dense thicket. Established Forsythia shrubs are relatively tough and exhibit some drought tolerance, though they perform best with moderately moist soil during prolonged dry periods. Adequate air circulation is beneficial to prevent common fungal problems like leaf spot. Ensuring the soil is well-draining also prevents issues, as the shrub does not tolerate overly wet conditions.