11/04/2022
Swipe to see how I've pruned this unproductive tangled Forsythia.
This shrub flowers on wood grown the previous year. Pruning now, means that the plant will have time to grow through this coming summer, and develop all of next years flower buds for Spring 2023.
Forsythias are big plants, and ideally need space to grow their tall stems freely. This will show off their natural arching form give you an amazing burst of colour when it's really needed.
‐-------------------------------------------------------------
The pics:
1 - It can be daunting when faced with something like this... but let's get in there and have a closer look.
2 - Forsythias are strong plants, and will become a real tangle if left unchecked. They also layer themselves to make new plants, so you end up with a real thickett.
3 - Here I pruned out all this weak, dead, old rubbish growth to start revealing the younger, more productive shoots.
4 - Removal of an old stem back to younger, healthy shoots.
5 - Removal of this older wood will reinvigorate the plant. More light will pe*****te down into the plant and encourage new shoots to sprout. By removing a 3rd of the older wood each year, we are keeping the plant young, by constantly renewing the older wood.
6 - Here is an example of that. A new shoot forming that will grow up through the lighter canopy and bear subsequent year's flowers.
7 - A much lighter, 'airier' looking plant, whose natural form has been considered and pruned to best show it off.
After tidying up I gave it a good drink, and a deep mulch with well rotted manure. This is provide some tlc in the coming weeks as it starts to regrow and develope new flower buds for next year.
Really looking forward to seeing this one develop.
Let me know if you have any questions :)