Why did my forsythias not bloom this spring?
Question:
I have been noticing that many forsythia are not blooming well this spring. Many bushes with very little yellow, some just with yellow at the bottom. Last spring, I saw many large thickets covered top to bottom in bright yellow blooms in yards and roadsides. Is there a reason the forsythia are not beginning with yellow blooms this year?
Answer:
The less than stellar forsythia blooms are most likely a result of winter injury. Mild winters with late freezes can cause damage to the buds, as the plant begins to wake and grow prematurely and then has tender tissue killed off by harsh temperatures. As long as the plant looks otherwise healthy, the damage should be limited to the season with a return to standard blooming next spring (unless we get similar weather!).