Gardeners’ Forum: “forsythia”
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Posted by jane snowdon on Saturday, October 11, 2008 10:55 AM ADTmy mom has a forsythia and it just doesn't bloom..lots of leaves..out in full sun..but just doesn't get more than a few flowers..she has had it for about 5 years now....any idea what the problem is ? She has clay soil.
re: forsythia
Posted by Amanda Brown on Saturday, November 8, 2008 8:55 PM ASTForsythia blooms on new wood only, so if it is pruned too late in the year most of the buds will be removed. Up to 1/3 of the growth should be cut back immediately after flowering, and the shrub should be left to grow all summer - that is what the next spring's flowers bloom on. Every few years, some of the oldest stems should be cut back to the ground. This will allow light to penetrate the base of the shrub and encourage new growth. I don't think the clay soil will have too much impact on blooming, and if it is leafing out fully then I would say it is a healthy shrub.
