How to Plant & Care for Forsythia
- 1). Plant forsythia in well-drained soil, where the plant will be exposed to full sunlight. Although forsythia will grow in partial shade, the blooms will be fewer and smaller. Allow 8 to 10 feet for the shrub to spread out.
- 2). Dig a hole as deep as the forsythia's root ball, and at least twice as wide. Use the tip of the shovel to score the inside of the hole so the roots will be able to penetrate.
- 3). Place the forsythia in the hole with the top of the root ball slightly above the soil. Backfill the hole with the reserved soil. Tamp the soil down firmly with the back of the shovel to remove any air pockets.
- 4). Water the forsythia deeply immediately after planting. After that, the shrub should be watered deeply once every week.
- 5). Fertilize the forsythia in early spring, late spring and mid-summer, once the roots are established, using a granular, balanced fertilizer. Sprinkle 1 tbsp. of fertilizer around the base of the forsythia, then water thoroughly.
- 6). Prune forsythia immediately after planting, as pruning after that time will reduce next year's blooms. Shape the shrub as needed to maintain shape and size, and remove any dead growth. Prune up to 1/3 of the oldest growth at the base of the plant every other year.
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