Question
My forsythia plants about 6-7 years old leave me disappointed every year as they bloom only on the lowest branches, about a half foot from the ground--all the other branches are loaded with leave buds, but no blossoms.  I live in a zone 5 area of Maine--I see the same problem on other people's shrubs, but I also see shrubs of the same size in our area loaded with blooms throughout it's full size.  Is there anything I can do to help the plant form blossoms on the upper branches?

Answer
Ronald,

I am going to guess that your problem is associated with pruning the plant.  Forsythia bloom on old wood.  This means the flower buds are formed last year for bloom this year.  When forsythia are pruned after July 4th the flower buds are removed. Always prune forsythia immediately after they flower and before July 4th.  The July 4th date is one of those rules for pruning flowering shrubs.

I hope this helps

Good gardening

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