Deciduous shrub 5-6 feet high and wide with a dense and rounded habit. Abundant bright yellow, bell-shaped flowers which cluster along the branches appear before the foliage in early spring. Leaves are ovate and medium green.
Forsythia has long been a popular garden shrub in the Midwest. 'Sunrise' was introduced by Iowa State University for its excellent cold hardiness; flower buds can withstand -20 degrees F. Sometimes listed as F. intermedia 'Sunrise' or F. ovata 'Sunrise'. Though the exact parentage of this hybrid is unknown, Forsythia ovata is certainly one of the parents, contributing to its cold hardiness.