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Think Twice Before Pruning Your Forsythia Shrub In Summer
By NAOMI MEZA
During the summer, forsythia begins developing new buds for next spring, so cutting the shrub at this time could lead to reduced flowering and a less attractive appearance.
To maintain a healthy and thriving forsythia, it is best to prune one-third of the oldest branches shortly after the plant finishes flowering — and certainly before mid-July.
Remove half of the remaining old branches in the following year, and by the third year, remove the rest. This approach ensures that forsythia produces abundant flowers each spring.
For an overgrown forsythia, cut it back to within 4 to 6 inches of the ground in late winter or early spring to encourage new shoots. New flowers should bloom in one to two years.