Honest review: Forsythia is rewarding but dieback from harsh winters on marginally hardy varieties is real

Forsythia is a genuinely satisfying plant to grow, but I want to be upfront about one thing: dieback from harsh winters on marginally hardy varieties. I've dealt with it twice now and it takes consistent attention to manage.

Beyond that, permanent woody structure providing year-round garden framework makes it one of my favourites in the collection. I keep it in a formal clipped topiary or box hedge which suits it well. Learning about pruning at the right time of year for the specific species has been essential. early spring flowering on bare branches before leaves appear is worth waiting for — the plant really justifies itself then. Four stars because of that persistent issue.