How to Prune Forsythia

A vibrant forsythia in bloom is a sea of yellow, and a harbinger of spring. An older overgrown forsythia has fewer blooms, and consequently, less color. Pruning can reinvigorate your forsythia, but needs to be done with care. The information on this page will help you learn how to prune forsythia.

• If you have a Forsythia bush in your yard, the question is not "how to grow Forsythia?" but Rather.... "to prune or not to prune," that is the question that you may want to aks yourself.

(Creative Commons photo by sschmitz)

• A Forsythia is a cane plant that send up canes from its base. Existing canes grow longer, and new canes are sent up from the base to thicken the plant.

• Forsythia can be pruned at any time of year without damaging the plant's health. Its important to remember that forsythia's bloom in the spring on last year's growth not new growth. However, If you'd like to maximize the flowers, forsythia should be pruned when it finishes blooming in the spring. Forsythia quickly sets its flower buds for the following season, known as "blooming on old wood." If you prune it in the summer or fall, you will prune off many of next spring's flowers. Forsythia are among the earliest of spring bloomers. Forsythia's are also called "Golden Bell". .

• Forsythia should be pruned by cutting off the off the oldest canes at ground level, resulting in a more open plant.

1. Because the older canes are also the tallest, this method not only promotes more side growth, but will prevent the plant from reaching excessive height.
2. Forsythia should be pruned with pruning shears, loppers, or a saw.
3. If, after pruning, the shape needs to be adjusted, long branches can be shortened.
4. Up to one third of the canes can be removed to rejuvenate an older forsythia.

• Forsythia are best pruned by removing older canes at the base, after the plant has bloomed in the spring.

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