The cherry blooms of the Forsythia bush provide a welcome burst of color at a time of year when gardeners need it the most. One of the earliest flowering shrubs, the forsythia plant has a graceful arching or upright habit and is grown primarily for the golden yellow four-petalled flowers that appear in early spring before the foliage emerges. It grows 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide.

Forsythia is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions and is reliably hardy in most climates. It is also tolerant of different soils, but performs best in rich, well-draining soils.