Forsythia is in the olive family and is native in eastern Asia.

It is sometimes called the Easter tree as the brilliant yellow blooms are a feature of that season.

The plant is named after William Forsyth (1737–1804), a Scottish botanist who was royal head gardener and a founding member of the Royal Horticultural Society.

It was first noticed by a westerner in a Japanese garden in the 18th-century. In the 1830’s it was introduced to Holland and reached England in the 1850’s.

There are 14 species of Forsythia with the most common that we see being Forsythia intermedia.

Forsythia are a deciduous plant typically growing to a height of 1–3 m.

Here is a look at the bark:

and the buds:

The leaves are opposite and can be toothed or smooth:

The fruit is a dry capsule, containing several winged seeds.

As well as the showy yellow display in spring, the fall leaf colours are lovely:

Miles Hearn