How and when do you prune forsythia?

How and when do you prune forsythia?

The best time for trimming forsythia is in the spring after the blooms fade. Pruning forsythia in late summer or fall will reduce the number of flowers in the spring since these shrubs bloom on old wood and set their flower buds soon after new growth appears.

Can I cut my forsythia to the ground?

Dead or alive, it won't hurt to cut a forsythia back to the ground. In fact, regular pruning is necessary to rejuvenate the plant and keep it blooming. It's best to do this right after the blooms have faded on the bush, but if your shrub didn't bloom, just do it in late spring.

What can you do for overgrown forsythia?

If it's an overgrown mess or far too large for the space then cut the whole thing down to just above the ground. That's right – whack it to the ground. Forsythia are vigorous shrubs that quickly bounce back from this type of rejuvenation pruning (provided that the shrub is healthy to start with).