Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · 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'. Show Off Starlet is a dwarf that fits in nicely in smaller gardens and smaller spaces.

To plant, dig a hole no deeper than the root ball and two to three times the width of the root ball and fill it with water. If the hole drains within a few hours, you have good drainage. If the water is still standing 6 hours later, improve the drainage in your bed, perhaps by establishing a raised bed or mound. Turn and break up the soil removed from the planting hole. If the native soil is heavy or compacted clay, mix in some organic compost at a 50/50 ratio with the soil removed from the planting hole. Remove your plant from its container and carefully but firmly loosen the root ball. Set the plant into the hole you've prepared, making sure the top of the root ball is slightly above the soil level to allow for settling. Pull your backfill soil mixture around the root ball in the hole, tamping as you go to remove air pockets. Then water thoroughly and cover with a one to two-inch layer of mulch.

Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Pruning
Show Off Starlet Dwarf Forsythia does not require pruning. If necessary, prune immediately after flowering. Old stems can be cut to the ground.

Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Feeding
Fertilize Show Off Starlet Forsythia with a well-balanced shrub and tree fertilizer or an organic plant food after it blooms in spring.

Gardenality.com · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Problems
I've yet to see any serious pest or disease problems with Show Off Starlet Forsythia