How to Prune Weeping forsythia?

(Forsythia suspensa)

Weeping forsythia, also known as Hanging golden-bell

This deciduous shrub, known for its bright yellow flowers and arching branches, benefits from regular pruning to maintain shape and encourage vibrant blooms. Prune weeping forsythia after flowering in late spring or early summer, cutting back old wood to stimulate new growth. Thin out crowded branches for good air circulation. Pruning enhances the plant's vigor and can rejuvenate older specimens by removing one-third of the oldest stems annually.

What Are the Benefits of Pruning Weeping Forsythia?

Pruning weeping forsythia encourages prolific flowering, prevents overcrowding, and fosters a strong framework for growth. This process also reduces the risk of infestations and disease by removing weak or dead branches, ensuring weeping forsythia remains vibrant and hardy.

What Is the Best Time for Pruning Weeping Forsythia?

Spring

Summer

These seasons are considered optimal because weeping forsythia blooms on the previous year's growth. Pruning in late spring or early summer, just after the flowers have faded, allows gardeners to shape the plant without sacrificing the next year's blooms. This timing also gives weeping forsythia ample opportunity to produce new growth that will flower the following season. Additionally, the plant is actively growing during this period, which promotes quicker healing of pruning cuts and minimizes stress. It is important to avoid pruning weeping forsythia in late fall or winter, as this could remove buds that would produce the spring's flowers, and new growth might be vulnerable to frost damage.

Identify plants and enhance your pruning skills

Want your plants to thrive? Check out expert tips on pruning timing, techniques, and care to confidently tackle any gardening challenge!

Download the App for Free

What Tools Do I Need to Prune Weeping Forsythia?

Bypass Pruners

Ideal for making clean cuts on living wood, bypass pruners should be used for young or small branches of weeping forsythia, ensuring minimal damage to the plant's tissues.

Loppers

These are excellent for reaching into the dense growth of weeping forsythia and cutting through thicker branches that bypass pruners cannot handle, due to their long handles and greater leverage.

Pruning Saw

When weeping forsythia has mature, woody stems that are too thick for loppers, a pruning saw is necessary for making clean cuts without tearing the bark.

Hand Shears

Hand shears are suitable for shaping weeping forsythia by trimming thin stems and maintaining the desired aesthetic form while promoting healthy growth.

Gloves

Durable gardening gloves are essential for protecting the hands while pruning weeping forsythia, as some branches may be sharp or cause skin irritation.

How to Prune Weeping Forsythia

Step1: Timing After Bloom

Begin pruning weeping forsythia immediately after its flowering period has ended, typically in early spring. This is important because weeping forsythia blooms on old wood from the previous year, and late pruning can remove flower buds, reducing the bloom for the next season.

Step2: Prepare Clean Tools

Wear gloves and use clean, sharp bypass pruners to make all cuts. Disinfect your pruners with rubbing alcohol or a 10% bleach solution to prevent the spread of diseases between plants.

Step3: Remove Yellow Leaves

Identify and remove any yellow leaves by pruning them close to the base of weeping forsythia. Yellow leaves could indicate pest, disease, or nutrient issues, so investigate and address these conditions as necessary to maintain plant health.

Step4: Cut Back Dead Wood

Inspect weeping forsythia for withered, dead, or diseased branches, which typically look dry, brittle, and discolored. Cut these branches back to healthy wood, just above a set of leaves or an outward-facing bud. This will help direct new growth outward and prevent overcrowding.

Step5: Shape and Thin Shoots

Thin out overgrown shoots to maintain a desired shape and size for weeping forsythia. Prune overgrown shoots back by one-third their length, cutting just above a bud facing the direction you want the new growth to take. This will encourage weeping forsythia to develop a more appealing form.

Step6: Eliminate Crossing Branches

Remove any crossing branches that rub against each other, as these can cause wounds and invite disease. Cut the less vigorous branch back to its point of origin.

Step7: Balance Overall Shape

Stand back and assess weeping forsythia’s overall shape. Prune any sections that unbalance the symmetry of weeping forsythia's shape, keeping the natural arching form of the weeping forsythia. Aim for a rounded or fountain-like shape, thinning as necessary to achieve this look.

Step8: Clean Up Pruned Material

Collect and dispose of all pruned material from around the base of weeping forsythia to reduce the likelihood of pests and diseases lingering around the plant.

Step9: Water and Fertilize

After pruning, water weeping forsythia well and consider applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support healthy regrowth if needed, following product instructions.

Step10: Monitor and Maintain

Monitor weeping forsythia for new growth and additional pruning needs throughout the growing season, and repeat these pruning steps annually to maintain plant vigor and optimal flowering.

Discover your plant's ideal water intake

Use our calculator to find out how much water your plants need for optimal health.

Download the App for Free

Post-Pruning Care for Weeping Forsythia

Immediately after pruning weeping forsythia, ensure clean cuts to promote healing. Position weeping forsythia in a spot with adequate indirect light; avoid direct sun exposure which can stress freshly pruned areas. Maintain moderate humidity and a stable temperature to support recovery. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to replenish nutrients, aiding vigorous regrowth. Regularly inspect for wilt, discoloration, or signs of infection in pruned sections. If symptoms occur, treat promptly with appropriate fungicides or pest control measures.

Common Pruning Mistakes with Weeping Forsythia

Avoid Over-Pruning to Preserve Blooms

Over-pruning, which can stress weeping forsythia and potentially reduce its flowering potential.

Use Sharp, Clean Tools to Prevent Damage

Using dull or unclean tools, which can damage the branches of weeping forsythia and introduce diseases.

Respect Natural Growth in Pruning

Pruning indiscriminately without considering the natural shape and growth pattern of weeping forsythia, leading to an undesirable appearance and compromised plant health.

Conserve Old Wood for Flowering

Removing too much old wood, from which weeping forsythia blooms, potentially reducing the floral display.

Avoid Pruning into Leafless Wood

Pruning into the lower, leafless wood, which can prevent new shoots from emerging on weeping forsythia.

Remove Dead and Damaged Branches

Neglecting to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches, which can cause harm to weeping forsythia over time.

Common Pruning Tips for Weeping Forsythia

Use Sharp, Sterile Tools for Healthy Cuts

Always use sharp and sterile pruning tools to make clean cuts and prevent the spread of diseases to weeping forsythia.

Prune to Enhance Natural Form

Prune weeping forsythia to maintain its natural weeping form, gently shaping the plant rather than imposing a rigid structure.

Thin Branches for Light and Air Flow

Focus on thinning out crowded branches to increase light penetration and air circulation within weeping forsythia, which promotes healthier growth and reduces disease pressure.

Save Last Year's Growth for Blooms

Retain a good amount of previous year's growth to ensure weeping forsythia has enough flowering wood.

Cut to Outward-Facing Buds for Directional Growth

Cut branches of weeping forsythia back to a strong outward-facing bud to encourage growth in a desirable direction.

Remove Unhealthy Branches Regularly

Regularly remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches to maintain the health and appearance of weeping forsythia.