Spectabilis is the classic forsythia, the one that turns into a fountain of clear yellow in late February and March here, blooming on bare stems before the leaves arrive. It grows quickly into an arching shrub eight to ten feet tall, a reliable sign that spring is on the way.

Full sun brings the heaviest bloom, and it is not fussy about soil, tolerating even damp spots. Prune just after flowering, taking the oldest canes to the ground rather than shearing, and the natural arching form stays graceful.