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#1
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severe pruning of a big old forsythia
I have a grand old forsythia in my front yard as part of a large shrub
garden. It's 25 years old, and is now about a 12 foot radius hemisphere. The problem is, it's getting so overgrown and "worn out" that there is little new growth or bloom on it. I did some small pruning two years ago which helped a little, but I think it's time for something more drastic. And since pruning time is coming up, I'm here for advice. I know forsythias can take a licking and keep on ticking, so I'm wondering how far I can cut out old growth on this one. It is a very healthy plant with a good solid root system. I "think" I saw a gardening show once that said you can basically cut the whole thing off at a couple of inches above ground and, if the roots are healthy, it will completely regrow as all new vibrant growth. Has anyone ever tried that? |
#2
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severe pruning of a big old forsythia
Andrew Duane wrote: I have a grand old forsythia in my front yard as part of a large shrub garden. It's 25 years old, and is now about a 12 foot radius hemisphere. The problem is, it's getting so overgrown and "worn out" that there is little new growth or bloom on it. I did some small pruning two years ago which helped a little, but I think it's time for something more drastic. And since pruning time is coming up, I'm here for advice. I know forsythias can take a licking and keep on ticking, so I'm wondering how far I can cut out old growth on this one. It is a very healthy plant with a good solid root system. I "think" I saw a gardening show once that said you can basically cut the whole thing off at a couple of inches above ground and, if the roots are healthy, it will completely regrow as all new vibrant growth. Has anyone ever tried that? I take off 1/3 of the oldest stumps every Spring after blooming. |
#3
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severe pruning of a big old forsythia
On Apr 30, 6:17 pm, Andrew Duane wrote:
I have a grand old forsythia in my front yard as part of a large shrub garden. It's 25 years old, and is now about a 12 foot radius hemisphere. The problem is, it's getting so overgrown and "worn out" that there is little new growth or bloom on it. I did some small pruning two years ago which helped a little, but I think it's time for something more drastic. And since pruning time is coming up, I'm here for advice. I know forsythias can take a licking and keep on ticking, so I'm wondering how far I can cut out old growth on this one. It is a very healthy plant with a good solid root system. I "think" I saw a gardening show once that said you can basically cut the whole thing off at a couple of inches above ground and, if the roots are healthy, it will completely regrow as all new vibrant growth. Has anyone ever tried that? If you really want to be drastic with this Forsythia - and it sounds like you need to be - then cut the whole thing back to within say 18in of the ground. In around 4-5 weeks it will start to shoot again, and then you can better control it in subsequent years. (It will probably get back up to around 3 feet during this first year after cutting back.) There is a pruning guide on here if you need it. www.gardenseeker.com Regards Data |
#4
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severe pruning of a big old forsythia
On May 7, 9:26 am, Data wrote:
On Apr 30, 6:17 pm, Andrew Duane wrote: I have a grand old forsythia in my front yard as part of a large shrub garden. It's 25 years old, and is now about a 12 foot radius hemisphere. The problem is, it's getting so overgrown and "worn out" that there is little new growth or bloom on it. I did some small pruning two years ago which helped a little, but I think it's time for something more drastic. And since pruning time is coming up, I'm here for advice. I know forsythias can take a licking and keep on ticking, so I'm wondering how far I can cut out old growth on this one. It is a very healthy plant with a good solid root system. I "think" I saw a gardening show once that said you can basically cut the whole thing off at a couple of inches above ground and, if the roots are healthy, it will completely regrow as all new vibrant growth. Has anyone ever tried that? If you really want to be drastic with this Forsythia - and it sounds like you need to be - then cut the whole thing back to within say 18in of the ground. In around 4-5 weeks it will start to shoot again, and then you can better control it in subsequent years. (It will probably get back up to around 3 feet during this first year after cutting back.) There is a pruning guide on here if you need it.www.gardenseeker.com Regards Data I was being lazy - here is the full url http://www.gardenseeker.com/pruning/pruning_shrubs.htm It is at the bottom of the page. D |
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