We know spring has arrived in northern climes when we see the cheery yellow blooms of the ubiquitous forsythias in April. Named after William Forsyth, one of the founders of the Royal Horticultural Society in the 18th century, forsythias are medium to large shrubs that produce four- petaled clusters of bell-shaped flowers in the axils of the stiff, rough branches. These Asian shrubs are very adaptable to poor soils and varying moisture, but the flower buds may be tender on older cultivars. Pruning is best done immediately after flowering, giving new growth time to form flower buds. Never shear forsythias into “green meatballs”, as their natural shapes are graceful enough.

Vermont Sun is a cultivar of the Manchurian forsythia with flower buds hardy to 25 and possibly 30 below zero Fahrenheit. It grows upright into a large shrub up to 8’ tall and 6’ wide. It has larger, broader leaves than the typical forsythia and blooms earlier. Fall color is a mix of orange and red.