How To Plant Forsythia

Question

hello, I have a 6 ft. forsythia bush I purchased from a local nursery. I would like to know the do’s and don’ts of planting. should i expose the root ball, or bury it below grade? should i fill the space dug out around the root ball with organic matter such as leaves? should i put a layer of stones under the root ball to assist in drainage?

Answer 1

First, the top of the root ball should be level with the ground. Don't plant it too deep. Your soil should have a pH balance of 6.8 to 7.5, so you may want to test it first.
If your soil drains real well, there's no need for the rocks, but if you have some clay in your soil, or some doubts about its ability to drain well, the rocks might be a good idea. Here's an article about growing and watering:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/forsythia/forsythia-shrub-care.htm