Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Planting
Plant Forsythia (Yellow Bells) in well-drained to moderately well-drained soils. The plant will grow fuller and bloom heavier the more sun it gets, but will do okay with some afternoon shade. Here in zone 8 of Georgia, I like to combine forsythia with other early spring bloomers such as flowering quince, tulip tree magnolias, Reeves and other "bridal wreath" spirea, daffodils and early-blooming flowering cherry trees such as 'Okame'.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Pruning
When provided ample room to grow, forsythia does not require pruning. Personally, I think this plant looks much better when left alone. Shearing it spoils it's natural look. If you do want to prune the shrub, do so immediately after it finishes blooming in spring. You can cut this plant back as far as you like.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Feeding
Forsythia really doesn't require much fertilizer. I usually give it a dose of a mild organic plant food in spring after it has finished blooming. You could also use a well-balanced shrub and tree type fertilizer.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Problems
Forsythia has been around for eons. It's a very long-lived flowering shrub that has very few if any problems with disease or insects. Consistently wet soils might cause problems with the roots.