Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia

Forsythia x 'Minfor6'

Proven Winners®

Compact Upright Habit Stays Tidy While Delivering Masses of Golden Spring Blooms
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 5-8
Grows 2-3 ft Tall, 3-4 ft Wide
Pollution Tolerant, Salt Tolerant
Showy Yellow Blooms in Early Spring

$26¹⁴

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: For the best flower display and densest growth, plant in full sun (6 or more hours of direct light). While it can handle partial shade, you will notice fewer blooms and a more leggy, open habit if it does not get enough light.
Soil: This shrub prefers loose, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If you have heavy clay that stays wet, plant it in a raised mound or add compost to improve drainage, as "wet feet" can lead to root rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water your Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia twice a week to ensure the root system establishes deeply. Once mature, this variety is quite drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture during a dry summer can lead to smaller flower buds for the following spring. Aim for a deep soak at the base of the plant rather than frequent light sprinkles.

Pruning Tips

Since forsythia blooms on "old wood" (stems created during the previous year), you should prune immediately after the yellow flowers fade in spring. Avoid pruning in winter or you will cut off all of your flower buds before they can open. Think of it like a renewal haircut: removing the oldest, thickest canes down to the ground every few years encourages fresh, vigorous growth from the base.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring before new growth starts to provide the energy needed for its intense bloom cycle. Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall. This can trigger soft, green growth that won't have time to harden off before winter, leading to significant frost damage when temperatures drop.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Compact/Dwarf, Low Maintenance, Deer-resistant, Flowering, Hedge/Screen, Drought resistant
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	2-3 ft
Width	3-4 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Medium
Growth Habit	Bushy, Spreading, Upright
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Yellow
Foliage Color	Green
Pet Safety	Non-toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Botanical Name	Forsythia x 'Minfor6'
Species	x
Cultivar	Minfor6
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

For an explosion of bright gold in early spring, your landscape needs the Show Off® Starlet Forsythia (Forsythia x 'Minfor6') features early spring blooms in a bright gold profusion of four-petaled blooms from tip to stem. Butterflies love them!

These are dramatic spring flowering plants and are just the cure you need to shrug off the winter doldrums! Snip a few stems in the winter to force in a vase for an early sneak peek as a floral bouquet! Show Off® Starlet has a nice and tidy compact, upright habit and fills out after the blooms fade in dark green lance-shaped leaves that turn bronze in autumn.

Show Off® Starlet is air pollution tolerant, along with being deer resistant, these are easy-to-grow deciduous shrubs! Hardy throughout USDA growing zone 5 to 8, and growing about 2-3 feet tall and spreading to a 3-4 foot spread!

Planting and Application:

Show Off® Starlet makes a great choice for an accent plant in mixed borders or foundation plantings! Mix and match with early and later blooming Forsythia and other spring flowering shrubs! For a special show, mingle some of Starlet's big sister Show Off® Forsythia and its little brother Show Off® Sugar Baby® for a high and low layered effect! Forsythia looks great in its natural form to save you time with pruning!

Allow this shrub to become the superstar of your spring plantings! Use it in a high-profile part of your landscape and make people smile! Make people slow down as they drive past! Show Off® is definitely not your typical Forsythia! Little Show Off® Starlet can be grown in outdoor pots on a sunny front porch. Give it regular water to add lavish color and privacy to your small space garden, porch and patio, or even the dramatic feature in a container garden!

The summer foliage makes Show Off® Starlet a perfect low-growing privacy screen and backdrop plant. For a high-impact look, line your driveway or property line with a long hedge! Plant a mass planting to fill open ground on commercial properties or bright rows leading customers to your doorstep! Can you imagine how much attention your business will receive in spring?

Add to a diversified slope-plantings as an accent that helps reduce soil erosion. You'll punctuate the overall look with bold springtime color!

Bright Yellow Flowers in Early Spring
Upright Branches & Deep Green Leaves
Bronzy Fall Color
Great Compact Form Develops Naturally
Fabulous Specimen Plants, Hedges, Slopes & Backdrops

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Forsythia shrubs grow best in full sun, and well-drained soil that sheds water quickly after a rainfall. If needed, mound up an elevated planting site with additional soil 18 inches high by three feet wide and plant in that mound. Apply a medium amount of water on a regular basis. Keep container plants well-hydrated, as well. Providing a good layer of mulch will help keep the root system cool and moist.

Prune right after flowering is done. Every so often, prune the largest, thickest canes out at ground level to keep your shrub rejuvenated and healthy. Deer don't prefer the taste. However, deer are hungry and curious. Apply repellent when you plant, and reapply according to label directions.

Full Sun Flowering Shrubs
Any Well-Drained Soil - Flourishes in Alkaline Conditions
Moderate Moisture Needs & Appreciates Mulched Beds
Prune After Flowering
Disease Resistant, Easy Care, Adaptable & Hardy

For a dazzling early spring display in a compact shrub, you can't go wrong with the Show Off® Starlet Forsythia! Order these darling bloomers to brighten your spring today from Nature Hills!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia grow well in my planting zone (e.g., zone 4 or 9)?

Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia thrives in USDA zones 5-8. If you're in zone 4, this variety won't survive your winters, and zone 9 may be too warm for proper bloom development. Choose a hardier forsythia for colder zones or a heat-tolerant spring shrub for warmer areas.

How much sun does Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia need—full sun, partial shade, or can it handle shade?

Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia thrives in full sun for the best bloom display. It can tolerate partial shade but may produce fewer flowers. Plant in the sunniest spot available for maximum spring color impact. Find yours at naturehills.com.

How often do I need to water Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia after planting, and is it drought tolerant once established?

Water newly planted Show Off™ Starlet regularly for the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, this forsythia is quite drought tolerant and only needs supplemental watering during extended dry periods. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth.

When does Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia bloom, and what color are the flowers?

Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia blooms in early spring with bright gold, four-petaled flowers that cover the stems from tip to base. The dramatic golden display appears before the leaves emerge, creating a stunning burst of color after winter. Cut stems in late winter to force blooms indoors for early spring arrangements.

Is Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia deer resistant?

Yes, Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia is deer resistant and also tolerates air pollution well. This compact shrub grows 2-3 feet tall in zones 5-8, making it ideal for foundation plantings where deer browsing is a concern. Shop at Nature Hills for reliable deer-resistant spring color.

How do I prune Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia—when and how?

Prune Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia immediately after blooms fade in late spring, since it flowers on old wood. This compact variety naturally maintains its 2-3 foot height with minimal pruning needed. Remove only dead, damaged, or crossing branches to preserve its tidy upright form.

Will Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia ship bare root or potted, and what is the shipping cost?

Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia typically ships as a potted plant rather than bare root, ensuring better establishment in your garden. Shipping costs vary by location and plant size, so check the specific shipping calculator at checkout for your area.

Does Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia need fertilizer, and what care is required in the first year?

Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia is low-maintenance and doesn't require fertilizer in most soils. In the first year, focus on consistent watering to establish roots, especially if grown in containers. Prune lightly after blooming if needed, though it looks best in its natural form.

Show Off™ Starlet Forsythia

Forsythia x 'Minfor6'