Started Forsythia at the wrong time — lessons learned

I planted Forsythia at entirely the wrong point in the growing calendar and spent the first few months wondering what I'd done wrong. box blight and box moth caterpillar on Buxus species didn't help matters. Once I understood mulching around the base annually to feed and retain moisture things improved substantially.

permanent woody structure providing year-round garden framework is what makes this plant worth persisting with. In a formal clipped topiary or box hedge it finally looks as good as I'd imagined. summer flowering on the current season's growth redeemed the whole effort. If you're starting out: do your timing research before you plant.