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Forsythia

ChelseajaneChelseajane Posts: 17
in Problem solving
My forsythia is one year old and has flowered really well except for 10 very tall upright stems with no flowers at all. I am tempted to prune them off completely. Any tips gratefully received.

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    It's up to you how you want to prune this shrub. But if you are trying to create some height, you might want to limit how much you chop out. Any pruning done now should be fine.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I might be wrong , but don't forsythia flower on 2 year old wood? so those bald stems will flower next year.
    Devon.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    In terms of ensuring flowering for next year, the growth made the previous year will be where flowers will form, so Hostafan1 is right about flowering from old wood. If it is a young shrub, the key is to allow them to grow to a certain size and not prune the growth right down. But if it is out of shape you can prune back lightly to create a bushy habit. Now is the right time to prune if you need to prune.
  • ChelseajaneChelseajane Posts: 17
    Thanks those comments were very helpful. I'll leave the bush alone this year.
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