This is Forsythia suspensa var. fortunei from the Oleaceae family. An upright deciduous shrub known for its bright yellow spring flowers. The trumpet shaped flowers are situated in the leaf axils on leafless stems, each flower having 4 lobes representing individual petals. Once pollinated via insects oval capsules develop containing winged seeds and the seeds disperse via the wind. This low maintenance plant is great for gardens. When pruning is required, however, it's best to do it after flowering.
While pruning this plant at college we noticed the rabbits had gnawed at the base of stems, making it rather unsightly, so we removed the damaged ones. I personally think this plant looks great trained as a wall shrub; there is one by the church in my town. I have also seen a species of Forsythia used as an informal hedge, pruned geometrically adding a dramatic block of colour!
