Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia

Forsythia 'NIMBUS'

Proven Winners®

Compact Dwarf Forsythia Packed with More Blooms Per Square Inch than Standard Varieties
Thrives in Zones 5-8
Pollution Tolerant, Salt Tolerant
Showy Yellow Blooms in Early Spring
Ideal for Hedge or Mass Planting

$26¹⁵

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Plant Size

Quart Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: For the best flower display, provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. While this variety tolerates partial shade, fewer hours of sun will result in sparse blooming and a less compact shape.
Soil: This shrub thrives in well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If you have heavy clay, mix in several inches of compost at planting time to improve drainage and prevent the roots from sitting in stagnant water.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water your Forsythia deeply once or twice a week to keep the soil moist like a wrung out sponge. Once the root system is mature, the plant becomes quite drought tolerant and only needs supplemental water during extended dry spells. Inconsistent watering during the heat of summer can cause the plant to drop leaves early or produce fewer flower buds for the following spring.

Pruning Tips

Show Off Sugar Baby blooms on old wood, meaning the buds for next year are formed during the summer. To maximize flowers, prune only immediately after the yellow blooms have faded in late spring. Use thinning cuts by removing the oldest, thickest stems at the ground level to keep the shrub looking fresh and productive without losing its natural form.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed your plant with a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring just as the new green leaves start to poke out. Avoid applying high nitrogen fertilizers in late summer or early fall. Doing so encourages tender new growth that will not have enough time to harden off before the freezing winter temperatures arrive.

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, Heat Tolerant
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	1.5-2.5 ft
Width	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Bushy, Spreading, Upright
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Yellow
Foliage Color	Green
Pet Safety	Non-toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Forsythia x intermedia 'Nimbus'
Species	x intermedia
Cultivar	Nimbus
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Superb Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia

Natural Dwarf Stays Small Without Pruning
Incredible Flower Power for Small Space Gardens
Electric Yellow, Bell-Shaped Blooms
Extremely Early Spring Display
Bare Branches Absolutely Packed With Blooms
Great Early Nectar Resource for Beneficial Pollinators
Perfect Cut Flowers
Deep Green Foliage All Growing Season
Easy and Disease-Resistant
Great Garden Performance
Grows in Full Sun or Partial Shade

Some of the boldest blooms come in petite packages! Get more flowers per square inch than other Forsythia variety with the outstanding Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia (Forsythia 'NIMBUS' PP# 23838).

Start the growing season off with an explosion of brilliant yellow blooms that last for weeks on end!

You may not believe your eyes when the bare, gray branches develop an incredibly lavish flowering display.

This selection is definitely not one of those huge Forsythia shrubs like your Grandpa used to have on the side of the garage! That was such a spectacular sight in spring...but took up way more room than you have right now.

Compact Show Off Sugar Baby fits nicely. It is a natural dwarf that works beautifully...even in the tightest foundation planting or side yard.

You can also grow them in chic containers on a sunny balcony! This is the darling shrub used by professional landscaping companies as a "Thriller" in amazing springtime container gardens.

These petite shrubs have an energetic, upright branch structure that looks great all year. But let's face it...it's their spring flowers that truly gives them their well-deserved place on people's "short list" of must-haves.

This sweet little plant is completely covered from the ground to the tips of each stem with amazing sunshine-yellow flowers. It literally offers more flowers per square inch than any other Forsythia on the market today!

After a long winter you just can't wait for spring to come back with a happy punch of color. Well, Show Off Sugar Baby Forsythia is a tiny shrub with a big blast of spring color.

Buy several, so you'll have plenty of branches to use in cut flower arrangements. Even after the blooms are done, you'll like the lush dark green foliage all summer long.

Show Off® Sugar Baby is certainly a show off, but it's not a diva. It will reward you with years of bright color without a lot of work.

Order yours now from our expert growers. Don't miss this spring show!

How to Use Show Off&reg Sugar Baby&reg Forsythia in the Landscape

If you love bringing blooms indoors, why not add a cute row to outline a Cutting Garden. These easy-care plants can adapt to just about any garden situation.

Because they will do well in either full sunlight or partial shade, they can brighten up the edge of woodland gardens. Pop them into place with Ferns, Hosta and spring-flowering bulbs underneath the dappled shade of ornamental flowering trees.

Use them at the edge of your Victory Garden to entice pollinators to start the season. Get a bigger harvest of annual veggies and fruit with these showy shrubs!

People love massing Forsythia on slopes for an eye-catching display in spring. Try a collection from Nature Hills, with larger varieties up top...and finishing with petite Show Off Sugar Baby near the bottom.

This top choice will fit into just about any garden space, including mixed borders. Weave a darling ribbon of color through your planting beds to welcome the new growing season each year!

Enliven your foundation plantings and mature evergreens with a bold shot of color. We recommend planting an informal drift in a mulched bed; going two and three deep in the center and a single plant on either end.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Give them at least four hours of sunshine a day. The more sun, the more blooms!

This tidy selection does need to be planted in well-drained soil. Elevate your shrubs in a raised bed, or keep them in containers if you have soggy soil where you want to plant.

Protect your investment in landscape plants with a consistent schedule of water. Even application of a moderate amount of water is best for this special shrub.

Watch our planting videos following links on your order confirmation email for expert tips and tricks...or visit our Garden Blog!

You may never need to prune the miniature Show Off Sugar Baby, because it stays perfectly small. If you do need to shape, or want to rejuvenate it by removing the oldest branches...wait until after the flowers are done.

Luckily, deer seldom bother Forsythia, but don't take chances if you live in an area with deer pressure. We recommend that you apply deer repellent on the day you plant and reapply it following the directions on the label.

Don't be surprised to fall in love with Show Off Sugar Baby Forsythia. You're in great company...these plants are incredibly popular, so order yours today!

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miniature forsythia bushes

I was amazed at how quickly I received the bushes. They were packed really well. I watered them as instructed and planted them the next day. Although only a few inches high they are healthy plants and have flowered already. I would certainly order again from this nursery!

Dear Alan B.,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with our miniature forsythia bushes! We're thrilled to hear that your plants arrived quickly and well-packaged, and that they're already thriving and flowering — that’s always such a rewarding sight. It sounds like you gave them a great start with your thoughtful care.

If you ever want tips on pruning or encouraging more blooms, feel free to reach out! We’re also happy to help you choose the perfect additions to complement your forsythias next time you order.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

miniature forsythia bushes

Hi,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with our miniature forsythia bushes! We're thrilled to hear that they arrived quickly and in great condition, and it's especially exciting that your plants are already flowering despite their young size. Your care in following the watering and planting instructions clearly paid off!

If you ever need tips on helping your budding shrubs continue to flourish or want to explore companion plants to complement your forsythias, feel free to visit our Plant Library or reach out to us anytime— we're always here to help.

We look forward to the opportunity to serve you again with more beautiful additions to your garden.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones can Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia grow in?

Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5-8. This compact shrub handles cold winters well while reliably producing its spectacular early spring bloom display. Plant in full sun to partial shade for best flowering performance.

How tall and wide does Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia get at maturity?

Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia reaches 4-5 feet tall and wide at maturity. This natural dwarf variety stays compact without pruning, making it perfect for tight foundation plantings, small yards, or containers. Plant it where you need reliable spring color in a manageable size - available at naturehills.com.

What type of soil does Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia prefer?

Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia thrives in well-draining soil and adapts to most soil types. It's quite tolerant of various conditions, from sandy to clay soils. For best flowering performance, ensure good drainage and avoid waterlogged areas.

Is Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia a fast-growing or slow-growing shrub?

Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia is a moderate grower that reaches its mature size of 4-5 feet tall and wide in about 3-5 years. As a natural dwarf variety, it grows at a steady, manageable pace without the aggressive growth of traditional forsythias. This controlled growth rate makes it perfect for small spaces and containers where you want reliable spring blooms without constant pruning.

Is Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia deer resistant?

Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia is generally deer resistant, as deer typically avoid forsythia's bitter-tasting branches and leaves. However, hungry deer may browse any plant during harsh winters or food shortages. Plant it in your foundation beds with confidence, and find this compact variety at naturehills.com.

What plants pair well with Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia in the landscape?

Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia pairs beautifully with spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips that bloom simultaneously in early spring. The compact size also works well with perennials like hostas, heuchera, and astilbe that fill in after the forsythia's yellow display fades. Plant companions that appreciate similar sun conditions and provide contrasting foliage textures.

Show Off® Sugar Baby® Forsythia

Forsythia 'NIMBUS'