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A neglected Forsythia

hjforbeshjforbes Posts: 2
in Problem solving
Hi. I have recently discovered one of the hedges in my garden is a forsythia. It hasn't flowered since I've been in the house (2 years). Should I cut it right back, so there's just 30cm of trunk left? Any thoughts gratefully received. 


Posts

  • gjautosgjautos Posts: 429
    Hi @hjforbes in my experience you can cut these as hard as you like, they will soon shoot back. 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I think with one that's been so neglected, cutting it hard back is your best bet.
  • hjforbeshjforbes Posts: 2
    Thank you so much!
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Do you clip it like a hedge? Forsythias flower on the previous season's growth, so if you're clipping it you could be cutting off the growth that would flower the following spring. Cutting back hard will of course lose the next spring's flowers, and maybe the year after if it puts all its energy into growth, but you'll get healthy new growth and then in future years you'll be able to prune it correctly (immediately after flowering, or not at all if there's space to let it grow naturally).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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