Photo: Dalgial, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Shrub
White forsythia: when and how to prune
Abeliophyllum distichum
White forsythia is best pruned in April.
| Pruning months | April |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in April |
| Flowering | February–April |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
White forsythia: when to prune it?
Straight after flowering, in April. It flowers on last year’s wood.
What else to prune in those months? April
White forsythia: how to prune it?
- Cut flowered stems back to a strong young shoot or bud.
- Each year, remove one or two of the oldest stems at the base to keep the shrub young.
- Remove dead, weak and crossing branches.
- Against a wall: cut back stems growing away from the wall and tie in the rest.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: April.
- Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in April can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- White forsythia flowers in February–April, when it attracts bees.
- If pruning falls during flowering, wait until it is over or leave part of the plant to flower, so bees and butterflies still benefit.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Do not prune in summer, autumn or winter: you would cut off next spring’s flower buds.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: White forsythia · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.