How to identify Weeping forsythia (Forsythia suspensa)

How to identify Weeping forsythia (Forsythia suspensa)

Weeping forsythia, also known as Hanging golden-bell

Weeping forsythia is a deciduous, perennial shrub characterized by its early flush of yellow flowers that appear before the foliage in spring. The flowers adorn long, arching stems that can root when they touch the ground. Typically, the blooms are not as intensely colored as those of its counterparts. Known for its graceful, weeping growth habit, the plant is also drought resistant and showcases its vernal beauty in a cascading manner.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Weeping forsythia

Golden yellow flowers with deeply lobed, drooping petals, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across.

Opposite dark green leaves, serrate margin, 4 inches (10 cm) long, pronounced vein pattern.

Rugged grey-brown bark with deeply fissured texture, consistent color and pattern throughout the year.

Two-celled fruit capsule with winged seeds, transitioning from green to brown hue, aids wind dispersal.

Graceful, weeping growth habit with arching stems rooting upon touch, early spring blooms less intensely colored.

Detailed Traits of Weeping forsythia

Leaf Features

The leaves of weeping forsythia are opposite and dark green, growing to about 4 inches (10 cm) long. They are simple in structure with a serrate (saw-toothed) margin. Each leaf showcases a pronounced vein pattern, contributing to its slightly rough texture. These leaves provide a clear identifier with their sharp teeth edging around the perimeter and a uniform dark green color that persists throughout the growing season.

Leaf Base

Cuneate ,

Circular

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Apex

Acuminate ,

Acute ,

Caudiform

Leaf Texture

Papyraceous ,

Coriaceous

Leaf Margin

Entire ,

Undulate ,

Revolute

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of weeping forsythia showcase a golden yellow hue, appearing in early spring. Each bloom is four-lobed with petals joined only at the base, forming a structure about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across. They become pendent in rainy weather to protect their reproductive parts. The flowers exude a light fragrance and offer a unique identifier due to their deeply lobed, slightly drooping petals in inclement weather conditions.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of weeping forsythia manifests as a two-celled capsule, typically found post-flower bloom. Within each compartment, numerous winged seeds are encased. These seeds are fundamental to propagation, dispersing when the capsule matures and splits open. The winged aspect of the seed aids in its wind-dispersal, potentially traveling significant distances from the parent plant. Although the coloration can vary, it generally transitions from a green to brown hue as it matures. The texture is initially firm but becomes more brittle and papery as it dries. The fruit is modest in size and not commonly noted for aesthetic or culinary use.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Weeping forsythia and Their Similar Plants

Greenstem forsythia vs. Weeping forsythia: What's The Difference?

Greenstem forsythia (Forsythia viridissima) is a deciduous shrub that is indigenous to Asia. Sometimes called Korean greenstem forsythia, this fast-growing, densely flowering plant is often used as a ground cover to protect soil health and prevent weeds. It can also be planted indoors in containers. A popular variety of this species, called 'bronxensis,' was first cultivated at the Bronx Botanical Garden in 1939, using Japanese seeds.

Early forsythia vs. Weeping forsythia: What's The Difference?

Early forsythia is a vibrant early-spring flowering shrub, known for its brilliant yellow blossoms that cover its arching branches before leaves appear. Hardy and deciduous, this bush thrives in a variety of conditions, preferring full sun to partial shade. Early forsythia's medium-green foliage turns a deep purplish color in autumn, offering year-round visual interest. Its resistance to cold makes it an enduring garden favorite.

Identify Weeping forsythia easily and quickly

We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.

Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Weeping forsythia

Attributes of Weeping forsythia

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

3 m

Spread

1.8 m to 3 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2 cm to 3 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

Fruit Color

Brown

Copper

Stem Color

Green

Leaf type

Deciduous

Identify plants with a snap

Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.

Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Weeping forsythia

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Mints plantains olives and allies

Family

Olive

Genus

Easter tree

Species

Weeping forsythia (Forsythia suspensa)

Learn More About the Weeping forsythia

Distribution Map of Weeping forsythia

Weeping forsythia is native to China. Its distribution hasn't been extensive, only traveling to neighboring Asian countries, some European countries, and various midwestern American states. You can find weeping forsythia growing naturally in forest edges, fields, meadows, and disturbed land.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Weeping forsythia

A Comprehensive Guide to Weeping forsythia How to Grow and Care for Weeping forsythia