Forsythia takes a "beating and keeps on ticking". Forsythia shrubs are consistently taking abuse from their owners who are unsure about how to control them. As is the case with most problems, a misunderstanding between owner and shrub is the underlying issue. Forsythia are large shrubs. They are genetically programmed to grow up to 7 feet tall and wide. However they are often planted in areas that allow for very little growth. Although forsythia readily takes abuse year after year, they do begin to look a little worse for the wear in time. They can look too boxy or have large gaps within the shrub.
So what are you to do when your forsythia begins to look unruly and similar to someone with a bad case of "bed-head"? To correctly prune forsythia, look for the longer, older, canes and prune those down to the ground, each year. Forsythia can be severely pruned if necessary. The trick to keeping Forsythia in shape and blooming is to remove about 1/3 of the canes at the base of the plant. This will ensure new shoots each year while keeping long shoots in check. It is best to prune right after they bloom in the spring. A good plan is to put the Forsythia where it can grow big and need little pruning. This is a beautiful shrub that can look quite striking in your landscape when allowed to grow naturally.
Forsythia takes a "beating and keeps on ticking". Forsythia shrubs are consistently taking abuse from their owners who are unsure about how to control them. As is the case with most problems, a misunderstanding between owner and shrub is the underlying issue. Forsythia are large shrubs. They are genetically programmed to grow up to 7 feet tall and wide. However they are often planted in areas that allow for very little growth. Although forsythia readily takes abuse year after year, they do begin to look a little worse for the wear in time. They can look too boxy or have large gaps within the shrub.
So what are you to do when your forsythia begins to look unruly and similar to someone with a bad case of "bed-head"? To correctly prune forsythia, look for the longer, older, canes and prune those down to the ground, each year. Forsythia can be severely pruned if necessary. The trick to keeping Forsythia in shape and blooming is to remove about 1/3 of the canes at the base of the plant. This will ensure new shoots each year while keeping long shoots in check. It is best to prune right after they bloom in the spring. A good plan is to put the Forsythia where it can grow big and need little pruning. This is a beautiful shrub that can look quite striking in your landscape when allowed to grow naturally.