Cutting Back Forsythia Winter. Forsythia are vigorous shrubs that quickly bounce back from this type of rejuvenation pruning provided that the shrub is healthy to start with. A spring flowering shrub notable for its bright yellow blossoms forsythia forsythia spp adorns the landscape in u s.
Forsythia are vigorous shrubs that quickly bounce back from this type of rejuvenation pruning provided that the shrub is healthy to start with. One option is to remove a third of the oldest branches shortly after flowering in the first year followed by half in the second year and the remainder in the third year. They can grow 8 feet stems in a single season.
For the very oldest and most overgrown forsythia pruning should be brutal cropping the entire shrub to about 4 inches 10 cm from the ground.
Rejuvenate the forsythia in late winter or early spring before the buds begin to swell. Cut back the entire plant to within 4 inches of the ground with the disinfected shears. If you spot any dead bent or split stems cut them too. In a mature forsythia shrub cut at least one fourth to one third of the oldest thickest branches close to the ground.