forsythia and other plants I can't grow

forsythia
Originally uploaded by drwhimsy

Grow forsythia

Actually, my forsythia bush is doing well, these past 10 years, but it produces no glorious golden flowers.
I think there is too much shade, or not enough cold temperature in the winter. I need to research this. It had blooms when I bought it. Do you have any suggestions on how to get my forsythia to bloom?
Other plants that I can't grow: lilacs won't give flowers, bleeding hearts and lily of the valley bloom once and quickly disappear.
These four plants and their flowers are all part of beautiful memories for me, from my mom's garden in Wisconsin.
But I could use help in getting them to give lovely traditional flowers here in California.
I did plant 10 Lily of the valley pips in January, in a pot, since I keep trying and hoping.

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley
Originally uploaded by Auntie P

I have a touch of spring fever, and this weekend as the cure I bought a package of 10 Lily of the Valley pips, as they are called, and planted them in a royal blue ceramic pot.
I used a gift certificate that one of my sons gave me for Christmas, so enjoyed the moment of picking out the fancy pot and the Lilies of the Valley, as a gift from him.
I also bought a package of 10 Gladiolus, "Flevo Laguna", which promise to be pale yellow with red edges. I didn't plant those yet.

Did you give in to spring fever, and buy some plants?
Buying from a catalog counts too.
If you like, share here what treats you planted, or aim to plant.