Reasons Why A Forsythia Will Not Bloom
Forsythia! They become a tangled mess if not carefully groomed, root wherever their branches touch the soil, and take over your yard if you don't beat them back. It's enough to make a gardener swear, but we keep them all the same, because nothing says spring like those bright yellow blooms. Then comes spring and nothing happens; there are no blooms on the forsythia bush. A forsythia not blooming is like Valentine's Day without chocolate. Why won't my forsythia bloom?
Reasons for a Forsythia Not Blooming
There are several reasons why a forsythia will not bloom. The simplest would be winter kill. Many older varieties of forsythia won't bloom after a hard winter or a late spring frost. The buds are simply not hardy enough to survive. However, the most common reason for forsythia not blooming is improper pruning. Blooms are created on one year old wood. That means this year's growth brings next year's flowers. If you pruned your shrub in summer or fall, or you trimmed it to rigid dimensions, you may have removed the growth that would have produced flowers. If you're asking, "Why isn't my forsythia blooming?" you may also want to look at its placement in your yard. Without six hours of sunlight, your forsythia won't bloom. As every gardener knows, a garden is an ever-changing thing and sometimes the changes happen so slowly we fail to notice. Is that once sunny corner now shaded by the maple that seems to have grown over night? If you're still asking, "Why isn't my forsythia blooming?" look at what's growing around it. Too much nitrogen will turn your shrub a full and lovely green, but your forsythia won't bloom. If your shrub is surrounded by lawn, the high nitrogen fertilizer you use on your grass may be hindering forsythia bud production. Adding more phosphorus, like bone meal, can help offset this. After all is said and done, a forsythia that will not bloom may just be too old. You can try lopping the plant back to the ground and hope the new growth will rejuvenate the bloom, but maybe it's time to begin again with a newer cultivar of that favorite herald of spring: forsythia.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Jackie Rhoades began writing for Gardening Know How in 2010.
-
Rosemary Decor Ideas: Try These 5 Creative And Tasteful Ways To Decorate With Rosemary
Have you only ever used rosemary as a garnish with the festive turkey? These rosemary decor ideas will fill your home and gifting horizons with fragrant new possibilities
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
4 Winter Composting Shortcuts To Fill Garden Beds In Time For Spring Planting
Discover quick, clever winter composting techniques to prep your garden beds and pots for spring planting. Reduce waste, enrich soil, and save time.
By Melanie Griffiths
-
Forsythia Winter Damage: How To Treat A Cold Damaged Forsythia
Forsythia plants produce many stems and often need pruning to keep looking their best. Cold or windy winters may injure forsythias, but they usually recover. If you are wondering how to treat a cold damaged forsythia, this article will help.
By Teo Spengler
-
Forsythia Rejuvenation Pruning: Tips On Hard Pruning Forsythia Bushes
Forsythias may start out as attractive landscape shrubs, but over time they can lose their luster. Learn more about hard pruning forsythia bushes once they've outgrown their space by clicking on the following article.
By Karen Boness
-
Forsythia Leaves Turning Yellow – Reasons For Yellow Leaves On Forsythia
If you see your forsythia leaves turning yellow, it could be a sign of a significant fungal issue. Yellowing forsythia bushes are normal before fall leaf drop but during the growing season it's time for action. Learn more here.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Varieties Of Forsythia: What Are Some Common Forsythia Bush Varieties
Known for its bursts of brilliant yellow color that arrive even before the first leaf unfurls, forsythia is a delight to behold. But what other types are there? Find out about some popular forsythia varieties in this article. Click here for more info.
By Jackie Carroll
-
Planting Forsythia Hedges: Tips On Using Forsythia As A Hedge
If you plan on using forsythia as a hedge, it is important to plant them correctly. This article has information on planting forsythia hedges and forsythia hedge pruning so you can find success with this type of hedge. Click here to learn more.
By Teo Spengler
-
Can You Propagate Forsythia: How To Propagate Forsythia Shrubs
Forsythia bursts into bloom in late winter, well ahead of most other early-season shrubs. They look fantastic in groupings and shrub borders. If you can't get enough of them, read this article to find out about propagating forsythia plants.
By Jackie Carroll
-
Tips For Growing A Weeping Forsythia Shrub
A true harbinger of spring, forsythia blooms in late winter or spring. Weeping forsythia is slightly different from its cousin, the border forsythia, in that it has trailing branches. This article explains how to care for this large, graceful shrub.
By Jackie Carroll
-
Forsythia Gall Treatment: How To Fix Phomopsis Gall On Forsythia Bush
Forsythia shrubs are well known for their beauty and tenacity, but even the toughest of these shrubs can become sickly in the presence of phomopsis galls. Read this article to find out how to manage this unsightly fungus.
By Kristi Waterworth