When should you prune forsythia?

Q: When should I prune my forsythia?

A: The best time of year to prune forsythia depends on whether or not your shrub is overgrown.

If your forsythia is a bit of a mess and in need of pruning, we recommend pruning in late winter or early spring – prior to any growth taking place or before any flowers appear. This means that your shrub will have few or no blooms this year – but that’s okay! It’s best to make these major pruning cuts while the forsythia is still dormant. This way you can easily see the structure of the plant before the leaves obstruct your view.

If, however, your shrub has been pruned regularly and is not overgrown, you can prune after your forsythia flowers. Here in mid-Michigan, they flower in late April and early May, so you may need to wait to prune until mid or late May.

If you’d like some help with your forsythia (or any other landscape plants), just give us a call. We’re always happy to help!

Other Resources

• How can I reduce the size, encourage more blooms, or otherwise tidy up an overgrown forsythia?
• Can all shrubs be pruned hard the same way as forsythia?
• Should I prune all my multi-stemmed shrubs at the same time as the forsythia?