Northern Gold Forsythia

Northern Gold Forsythia Bursts With Spring Sunshine

Nothing says spring quite like the cheerful golden blooms of Northern Gold Forsythia (Forsythia 'Northern Gold'). This cold-hardy beauty lights up the still-dormant landscape with brilliant yellow flowers before the leaves even emerge.

Blooming in early spring, its buds are specially bred to survive even the most frigid northern winters, so gardeners in Zones 3 to 8 can welcome spring with a golden flourish. While not fragrant, this flowering shrub is prized for its vivid color and early bloom time.

Upright in form and bold in presence, Northern Gold matures to a broad, arching shrub about 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. Once the golden show concludes, its clean, dark green foliage fills in to create a dense, handsome background shrub. This rich foliage stays lush through summer and transitions into a quiet yellow in fall!

Care & Maintenance

Key Features

• Early spring bloomer with showy golden yellow flowers
• Fast-growing and long-lived
• Exceptionally cold-hardy, even in Zone 3
• Upright growth habit, 6–8 feet tall and wide
• Dense, dark green summer foliage
• Blooms before leaves emerge
• Deer resistant and low maintenance

Landscaping Uses

It’s tough as nails and handles cold like a champ, making it ideal for exposed landscapes or northern windbreaks. Use Northern Gold Forsythia as a bold, upright flowering shrub, reaching 6 to 8 feet tall and wide.

• Bright spring specimen or accent near entries or patios
• Massed into a tall flowering hedge or living wall
• Mixed into a cottage garden border for early color
• Backdrop plant behind smaller shrubs and perennials
• Seasonal privacy screen, mixed shrub border, or visual barrier
• Excellent addition to northern pollinator gardens
• Ideal for mass planting, hedges, and focal points

Care and Maintenance

This cultivar was developed specifically for northern climates, making it a rare Forsythia that reliably blooms even after harsh winters. A member of the Olive family, Forsythia relatives include Lilacs and Privets. Northern Gold thrives in full sun and tolerates a range of soils as long as drainage is decent. This deciduous shrub is a sun-loving, cold-hardy performer that asks little in return once established.

• Planting Time: Best in spring or fall
• Sun Needs: Full sun (6+ hours daily) for best flowering
• Soil Needs: Tolerates average to poor soils, but prefers well-drained loam; avoid soggy or compacted sites
• Moisture Needs: Moderate; drought tolerant once established, but appreciates consistent watering when young
• Mulch: Apply a 3–4 inch layer of arborist mulch to retain moisture and protect roots
• Fertilization Needs: Light annual application of balanced fertilizer in early spring, if desired
• Pruning Info: Prune just after flowering, blooms on old wood
• Renewal Pruning: Every few years, remove one-third of the oldest stems to the ground to encourage new growth
• Special Needs/Perks/Growing Tips and Tricks For Success:
• Extremely cold-hardy and reliably bud-hardy
• Handles urban pollution, clay, and compacted soils
• Rabbit and deer resistant

Go For The Gold This Spring

For gardeners longing for that classic burst of Forsythia gold but living in northern zones where spring can be slow to show up, Northern Gold is the answer. Its reliable bloom and bud hardiness make it a standout in early spring gardens, whether used solo, in groups, or as an entire golden hedge.

Buy now, and Nature Hills will ship your new favorite spring bloomer to your doorstep today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Northern Gold Forsythia deer resistant?
Yes, Forsythia shrubs are generally not preferred by deer due to their bitter-tasting foliage.

Does Northern Gold Forsythia need full sun?
Yes, for the best flower show and growth habit, plant in a location that gets full sun.

How fast does Northern Gold Forsythia grow?
This Forsythia is moderately fast-growing, putting on up to 12–24 inches per year under optimal conditions.

Can I prune Forsythia in fall?
No, avoid fall pruning. Forsythia blooms on old wood, so pruning in fall or winter removes the flower buds for spring.

Does Northern Gold Forsythia attract pollinators?
Yes! While not fragrant, its early blooms offer an important food source for bees emerging in early spring.

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