Forsythia pruning is essential for maintaining this shrub's size, shape, and ability to produce flowers. Prune every year and trim back severely any shrubs that have been neglected and become overgrown.
Forsythia is a genus of several species native to Asia and popular in North America for their cheerful spring blooms. A sure sign of spring is the bright yellow clusters of forsythia flowers that appear on these fast-growing shrubs before the leaves bud out. They are relatively low maintenance, but pruning forsythia at least once a year is important for maintaining a healthy, attractive shrub.
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Signs It’s Time to Prune a Forsythia
Generally, you should plan to trim your forsythia at least once a year. If it’s been a while, there are some clear signs that indicate forsythia needs pruning. Forsythia grow quickly. A large, overgrown shrub is in need of a trim. Larger shrubs that haven’t had a pruning in a while can lead to the forsythia not blooming. If your forsythia is too big, looks unruly and unattractive, it’s time for forsythia rejuvenation.
When to Prune Forsythia
Knowing when to trim forsythia is essential for next season’s blooms. Trim at the wrong time, and you will see fewer flowers. The best time to prune a forsythia shrub is in spring or early summer, after they’re done flowering.
Forsythia begins to develop its flower buds as early as midsummer for the following spring. If you prune too late in summer or in the fall or winter, you’ll trim off these buds and have fewer flowers next season.
If you have a wildly overgrown forsythia that isn’t producing many blooms anyway, the timing of pruning is less important. It’s better to cut these older shrubs back while they are dormant in winter or very early spring.
How to Prune Forsythia
Use sharp, sterilized pruning tools to trim your forsythia. A pair of loppers or a hand saw are best for thicker branches. For thinner branches, use a sharp pair of gardening shears. Resist the urge to simply go over the top and sides of forsythia with hedge trimmers. This is not the best way to prune a forsythia shrub.
When trimming forsythia shrubs that are not badly overgrown, start by removing about one-quarter of the old wood branches. Remove them evenly throughout to open up space within the shrub. The oldest stems are the thickest at the base and usually the tallest. Removing these will reduce the overall height of the shrub.
Focus next on any crowded, thinner branches higher up in the shrub. Cut smaller branches off where they originate from a larger branch. Remove branches strategically:
- Trim off branches that are dead or damaged.
- Remove any branches growing in toward the center of the shrub.
- Remove one of any pair of branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other.
- Trim back some of the tallest, vigorous, upright shoots.
The goals of trimming should be to open up the shrub to allow more light to the interior, to control its size, and to maintain a pleasant growth pattern. The natural shape of forsythia is fountain-like. Avoid trying to trim it into a uniform hedge and work with the natural growth habit instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Prune an Old, Overgrown Forsythia?
A neglected, overgrown, and wild forsythia can and should be trimmed back severely. While dormant, trim the shrub back to one foot or less (0.3 m). It will regrow vigorously in the next season, so don’t be afraid to cut it way back. Within a year or two, you’ll have a refreshing shrub that will bloom prolifically.
What Happens If You Don't Prune Forsythia?
If you don’t prune forsythia shrubs once a year or at least every two years, it will become overgrown and unruly. Overgrown forsythia lose their attractive shape. They also bloom much less. As forsythia stems age, their ability to produce flowers decreases. It is important to remove the oldest branches each year to promote new growth and more blooms.
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