It seems the Forsythia bush will grow just about anywhere (zones 4 through 8), signaling the arrival of spring from New England to Southern California. Many gardeners love Forsythia because it is such an early bloomer. It blooms even before its leaves appear. It's also easy to grow, needing not much more than a sunny location. The plant will take some partial shade, but seems to bloom more profusely in full sun. Soil prep is minimal, too, as Forsythia will grow in just about any type of well drained garden soil. Good for xeric landscaping, after established, you won't need to worry about watering Forsythia except during the driest parts of the year.

Size, too, is quite manageable. You can shape the plant into a controlled hedge or allow it to shape itself. It's best to prune just after blooming.

In early spring, it's fun to cut some branches just before the flowers bloom and bring them into the house. The bright yellow flowers will open and brighten up any room. And since they are easily propagated by cutting, if there's water in your vase, the stems will probably develop roots which you can plant. Stems that touch the ground on the plant itself, if partially buried, will also develop roots, which is an easy way to help the plant spread if you're planning a hedge row.

All in all, Forsythia is easy to grow. It grows fast, resists pests and disease, is beautiful in early spring with its bright yellow flowers, beautiful as a shrub in the summer with its deep green. The only drawback is that Forsythia can be a deer magnet. Because of this, landscapers will sometimes develop the plant as a hedge row deer detracting fence that keeps the deer away from other parts of the yard.