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Forsythia flowers on stems and buds made
in the previous year. If you prune Forsythia too late in the year, then
you will be cutting off the next spring's flower buds and flowering
stems! Forsythia needs a long growing season in which to make its
flowering stems and flower buds for the next spring. If you prune
Forsythia too late in the year, then you will be pruning off the
flowering branches for next spring.
For normal Forsythia shrubs - bushes - you
will need to prune them as soon as possible after flowering in the early
spring. If this is done, then you will have masses of flowers the
following year.
Pruning Forsythia.
Right after flowering, cut out all of the stems that
have flowered - back to a good healthy pair of buds. Depending upon how
vigorous your forsythia variety is, the pruning cuts may be from between
12 in (30cm) to 2ft (60cm) in length. At the same time - with an
established shrub, it is a good idea to cut a few stems back down to
within a few inches (cms) of the ground - say one out of every three
stems pruned this way. This will encourage basal shoots to grow, which
will keep the Forsythia well provided with strong stems to flower in
later years.
This is a typical Forsythia stem that would be
pruned out right after flowering has finished. The pruning cut would be
right at the bottom of the picture. The stem will then re-grow during th
year, to the same length as before.
Basically >>>
a/ Cut back flowered growths at least
1/3rd of the way back into the shrub, to a new young shoot; or a strong
bud (Leaf joint)
b/ Cut some of the growth - about 25%
- right back to within a few cm of the ground. This will produce nice
basal growth, which in turn will be part of your framework for the
following year. If you don't do this, then the shrub will simply get
taller each year, with the flowering growth right at the top.
Pruning cuts well back into the growth. |
Don't forget the lower cuts to force some basal
growth. |
Forsythia Hedges
Forsythia make good
dense and colourful hedges, that can be kept well
under control for a small (3ft) 1m high hedge - or
as a larger hedge. If you want a well clipped hedge
of Forsythia, the pruning is carried out with either
a pair of shears or a hedge trimmer. The hedge can
be cut twice each year, with the last cut taking
place in Late July/August.
As can be seen, you
can prune forsythia to make neat shapes as well as
hedges!
Providing that the
pruning is a light trim, and not back hard into the
stems, then there will be plenty of flowers the
following year. If the hedge gets too 'open' then
don't be afraid to prune it hard in Early Summer. It
will soon send out a mass of new shoots with which
you can re-form your hedge. Thereafter, prune as
above.
Forsythia suspensa -
groan as a hedge - should only be pruned the once,
to allow plenty of long arching stems to form an
attractive - but slightly informal hedge.
Back to A-Z of Pruning Shrubs |
