Korean goldenbell tree is a shrub that blooms in spring, with yellow flowers opening before its leaves. It grows wild only in Korea and is planted in U.S. gardens, where many familiar forsythias are other species or hybrids.
Appearance
Growth form
A shrub up to about 13 ft (4 m) tall, with many stems and arching branches.
Leaves
The oval to narrow leaves, 1¼–3 in (3–8 cm) long, grow in facing pairs and have toothed edges.
Flowers
Brilliant yellow, bell-shaped flowers about 1¼ in (3 cm) across, with four spreading lobes, in clusters of one to three.
Flowering time
In US gardens, it flowers before the leaves in spring; the timing varies by region.
Fruit
The fruit is a small, dry seed pod. Wild plants are scarce, and garden shrubs may bear little fruit.
Both flower yellow on bare spring branches. Border forsythia is a different garden hybrid, and the two can be hard to separate in a flower-only photo; look for a plant label or clear leaves and stems.
Why they get mixed up · Border forsythia is common in US yards.
Early forsythia has broader, rounder leaves; Korean goldenbell has narrower leaves and longer arching branches.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
Gardens
Hedges
Parks
Roadsides
Range
Native to Korea. In the US it is grown in gardens and collections; many familiar yard forsythias belong to other species or hybrids.
Preferred conditions
It grows in and does best in a sunny spot.
Growing it
Propagation
Garden plants can be grown from cuttings.
Name and classification
About the name
It was once called Forsythia viridissima var. koreana. The name “Korean forsythia” is also used for early forsythia (Forsythia ovata), so a common name alone does not settle an identification.
Varieties and forms
Besides 'Bronxensis' and 'Kumson,' U.S. gardens grow variegated 'Bandal,' 'Ilgwang' with gold-edged leaves, and 'All Gold,' which arose from 'Ilgwang' and has all-gold leaves.
Conservation
IUCN Red List
NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed
Status
A 2010 Korean survey found 12 wild plants at three sites.