A frequently
asked question is, ‘When is the best time for pruning
forsythia?’ Pruning in December or January provides
branches for forcing. If some pruning is done when the plant
is in bloom it again provides cut flowers for use in indoor
arrangements. Additional pruning after flowering encourages
better branching and the potential for more flowers in future
years.
Pruning forsythia after flowering is the most widely used
method. Cut out about one-third of the old woody growth. This
encourages new young growth, which will supply the next season's
flowers. Experts advise that you should be looking for new
growth that develops quickly in whip-like form. If the whip
like branches are not trimmed or trained it will ruin the
shape of your plant and will result in reduced flowering.
So, if any whip-like growth develops, pinch or prune out the
tip growth when it is about 15 to 18 inches high. The tip
pruning will result in several new growths developing at that
point and the plant will become bushier and more prolific
in its flowering.
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note that an annual forsythia pruning is by no means mandatory.
If the form of the forsythia bush is good, you can go several
years between prunings. Pruning forsythia when it is easiest
to tell the newest branches apart from the older is advised.
Only the older branches will have blooms; the first-year branches
won't have any yet, so you have a graphic reminder to avoid
them.
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