Q&A for How to Prune Forsythia

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Can I prune my Forsythia now, as some branches have lost their flowers?

Greenhouse Anderson

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Yes, it is common to prune Forsythia after flowering. The best way is to remove 2 to 4 of the oldest, largest stems near ground level. This will stimulate new stems from the base. Do this every year or two.

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Question

We trimmed the forsythia this spring. Now there is a lot of new growth at the very bottom. Should this be trimmed now or next spring?

Greenhouse Anderson

Top Answerer

Forsythia should be pruned in late spring after the flowers are gone. Remove 1 to 4 of the oldest, largest stems at ground level every couple of years.

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Half of our plant is green, and the tallest branches have gone crazy this summer. They have all lost their leaves and look dead. Should we cut them down to the ground now?

Greenhouse Anderson

Top Answerer

Yes, remove the leafless stems at ground level. Leave the stems with green leaves. Remove 1 to 4 of the oldest, largest stems at ground level in late spring when the flowers are done every couple of years.

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My forsythia is at least four years old and five feet tall. I hardly know they are forsythia because there are almost no flowers. We live in windy Colorado. What can I do to keep flowers longer?

Greenhouse Anderson

Top Answerer

The yellow flowers of forsythia occur in early spring in your area. Flowering lasts 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the temperatures. Don't prune forsythia after the first of July, because the flower buds start to form for next spring. Prune in late spring just after flowering has ended.

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A tree fell on my forsythia bush and wrecked it. The center is broken down to about 12 inches, but some outer branches are still standing. Should I prune the entire plant or leave the outer branches?

Greenhouse Anderson

Top Answerer

Prune out the damaged stems. Leave the other stems. It will grow back. Remove 1 to 4 of the oldest, largest stems at ground level every couple of years.

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