This shrub offers a spectacular yellow spectacle so very early in spring you’ll wish you had one (or two) to chase drab winter’s hues away!
The blooms of forsythia bush offer bright yellow flowers on long, arching branches for a cheery splash of early spring color in your yard. They produce flowers first, with the green foliage appearing once the flowers fade. This attractive bush is available in several varieties, and great for our Tri-Cities climate. Plant the forsythia any time of the year in areas where freezing temperatures are past. Move and transplant a forsythia during the winter season, when the bush is not actively growing.
When you do plant, choose a location with full sunlight and well-draining soil. Double-check the mature height and spread of the forsythia variety chosen to see if your spot has enough room for growth. Check for overhead obstructions when planting tall varieties and allow enough space between the forsythia and other plants to accommodate the branch spread.
Forsythia likes a pH range of 6.8 to 7.7. Adjust the soil if necessary, ask us what works best. Follow the package instructions for an application rate based on the current pH. Moisten the soil well after applying the amendment.
Dig a planting hole that is at least two times wider than the root ball and the same depth, add whatever compost you choose, then set the root ball into the hole. The top of the root ball should be at ground level or just slightly above. Loosen the soil around the roots a bit, then backfill the hole.
Pack the soil firmly around the roots, saturate the hole with water to compact the soil around the roots. Add more soil if needed once the water recedes. Discard any excess soil removed from the hole. Enjoy your forsythia!