Is it too late to prune forsythia? Advice from a professional gardener on caring for these flowering shrubs

Pruning a forsythia shrub full of yellow flowers with shears.

Forsythia shrubs are hardy and resilient, illuminating borders with golden yellow blooms early in the year. When the winter cold feels never-ending, forsythia shrubs signify that spring is just around the corner.

Pruning these plants is a time-critical task. As with many woody shrubs, like weigela and mock orange, forsythia plants flower on last year's growth. For this reason, knowing how to prune forsythia and the correct time to do so is important.