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Border forsythia and Golden currant: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Border forsythia Forsythia × intermedia	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Golden currant Ribes aureum
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Garden hybrid; no natural native range	Canada to W. & Central U.S.A.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Part sun & shade
Soil moisture
Average moisture; well-drained soil	Average moisture / Dry soil
Mature height
8–10 ft	6–8 ft
Mature spread
10–12 ft	6–8 ft
USDA hardiness zones
5–8	Cold hardy to USDA zone 3; upper zone not specified.
Season of interest
Early spring	Spring flowers & summer fruit
Garden & wildlife value
Not listed in the source profile.	Native spring flowers are followed by fruit for birds and colorful autumn leaves.
Growing notes
A large, arching shrub that blooms on older stems. Prune just after flowering to preserve next spring’s buds.	Spreads by suckers; ask for the locally native form because golden and clove currants are sometimes mislabeled.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew Additional growing guidance

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.