Forsythia
An ornamental plant, planted September to May, or sown September to November.
In September: nothing to do. It can be sown outdoors or planted now.
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Forsythia, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow outdoors. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Plant a pot-grown forsythia. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Plant a bare-root forsythia. | none | none | usual | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Prune the forsythia. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none |
| Mulch the forsythia. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Sowing and planting
Sow outdoors September to November. Moderate source: RHS.
Plant a pot-grown forsythia March to May, and September to November, 45 to 60cm apart. Moderate source: RHS.
Plant a bare-root forsythia November to February, 45 to 60cm apart. Moderate source: RHS.
Prune the forsythia
Cut flowered growth back to strong upward- and outward-facing shoots lower down.
Usually April. Moderate source: RHS.
Mulch the forsythia
After pruning, spread well-rotted organic matter to keep the soil around the roots in good condition.
Usually May to June. Moderate source: Gardeners’ World.
What the source words mean
Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.
What not to do
Don’t prune it later in the year
Prune straight after flowering. Pruning later means fewer flowers next spring.
Moderate source: RHS.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Forsythia” comes from.