Question about trimming forsythia

[RamseyTrio]

Hi everyone -

We have a HUGE old forsythia on the side of our house that hasn't flowered well in 5 or 6 years. I'm sure the problem is that it needs to be trimmed but I don't know how far down to trim it.

Over the past few years I have trimmed some of the older "woody" branches & done an all-over trim of about 6 inches hoping this would help but it hasn't

Can I trim it all the way back to a few inches above the ground so it will grow and bloom next spring or will this kill it? Also, is this an okay time of the year to trim it?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Snowwark]

Welcome RamseyTrio!

You were on the right track, cutting back the older wood each year, but perhaps you didn't cut it down far enough. The oldest branches can be taken out every year or two after the flowers fade, cut low, just above a young shoot.

If your Forsythia is drastically overgrown, yes, you can cut the entire bush to the ground. It may take a couple of years before you see blooms, but that's the problem you are having now, so it might be worth it.

Here's a link with various (and very detailed), types of pruning for Forsythia, that you might find interesting.

Plant Anmesty

Let us know what you decide to do!

 

[RamseyTrio]

Thank you very much for that wonderful information!

I think I'm going to prune it all the way down and keep my fingers crossed that it'll start growing again in the spring. I don't mind waiting a few more years for flowers. Plus DH needs to paint our house and it'll be much easier to get that side done if the bush is temporarily gone

Thanks again for all the info. It's printing out as I type.

 

[Tulirose]

What a fantastic site that is Snowwark!

It confirmed what I always knew, however. My forsythias are planted way too close to my driveway. I will never be able to keep them in check. Even with trimming them, by mid summer they always want to "reach out and touch" my car!!

 

[TimNDansMom]

Excellent article, Kim! Now I know what I should have done with my forsythia. Early last fall, I got out the step ladder and electric hedge trimmer and tried to give mine a drastic clip in the globe shape I have been keeping it in. It has been very hard to maintain and I did plant it too close to the fence so I have to go into my neighbour's yard. This spring it is covered with flowers but is growing like a weed again. I now see I'm going to have to go and buy a tree saw and be very brave!