HOW TO RECOVER A BADLY PRUNED FORSYTHIA

This week we are having a look at 2 different Forsythia shrubs. The first in my garden. It underwent a rejuvenation over a period of 3 years and now all it requires is a maintenance pruning to keep it healthy. I am now looking for achieving fullness of stems at ground level but not congestion. The second is in my next door neighbours garden and it will be familiar to many people. It is a shrub that has been height controlled for many years and every cut made has created further branches at the site of the cut causing a pompom at the end of every cut branch. The bottom of the shrub was never pruned so it is a mass of dead branches and living branches criss-crossing in every direction. When you are faced with this - just take it slowing. Remove the dead and the crossing first. Then take out the puny. Then take out those ones that are ruining the shape. By that stage things, at least close to the ground, will be looking a lot better. Up top your aim will be to choose one or two of the most vertical branches of each pompom and remove the rest. It won't be perfect but it will be well on its way to becoming a proper Forsythia. Next year new branches in a whip shape will have sprouted from the large branches cut today and some more from the ground. They will have room to grow because you have cleared out the centre of the shrub. Better airflow and light penetration will ensure a healthier shrub and a better flower display.
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Hello, my name is Úna and this is Granny’s Garden. I am a Master Gardener and I would love to share some tips and advice gained from years of experience with fellow gardening enthusiasts. So please join me every week on my journey to create and recover a very neglected garden.
I garden in a zone 6 in the mountains to the north of Madrid, Spain
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