Question
I have bought 4 each plants from Gurney and Miller two years ago that have not grown.  The living plants are about 15" high and have less than 6 leaves.  At least half have died.  I am at 6200 feet, and we have winter weather down to 0 several nights.  My land is half volcanic rock, and we have two months in spring and fall when it is winter at night, below 40, and summer during the day, over 60.  Average humidity is about 20% and less than 7 in of rain. Mid July through September is our monsoon season with 20 to 60 minutes of rain each day.  What do I need to do to get the forsythia to grow?  I need a reply via my email inbox. Dave

Answer
Hi Dave,
Thanx for your question.  I did not see you e-mail inbox in your question.  You probably need to amend the soil with lots of organic material such as leaves, dried cow or horse manure, grass clipping and then build upon this each year.  Just work it in around the shrubs and then side dress around the shrub.  Make sure the shrubs are deeply watered once a week when there is no regular rainfall.  The cold is not a problem.  Forsythia benefits from a cold period I think it is the lack or organic nutrients and not enough moisture that are adversely affecting your forsythia.  I hope this helps.
Tom