These early bloomers sport the vibrant yellow flowers that have become a fixture of our spring dreams. Their flowers precede their leaves. Border forsythias are fast-growing shrubs with an upright and arching form. "Sunrise" forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia 'Sunrise') is more compact than many forsythia shrubs, growing 4'-6' tall with a spread of 3'-5'. By contrast, Forsythia x intermedia 'Meadowlark' grows 8'-10' tall. In between is Forsythia x intermedia 'Northern Gold', at 6'-8' tall.