I don't know how to work with my lilac and forsythia bushes to make them more fuller and more blooms?

Answer 1

In the fall wheh the sap goes down and all the leaves fall off trim them about two foot high. next spring when they come out they will be fuller. Also you don't really have to wait till spring all season long you can trim them back the more often you trim them back the fuller they get.Remember with these bushes every time you breaka limb it forks out to make two. These bushes are very hardy. You can usually just throw a limb on the ground and it will grow. Also if your bushes are thin and spacey try breaking off a limb and just stick it in the ground where you would like it to be thicker or anywhere you would like to have another. This way you don't have to go buy more. Don't give up sometimes you have to redo it. Its just according to where the signs are at. Don' never plant anything when the signs are in Cancer it will die. Hope this helps you out.

Answer 2

Generally agree-- what you want to do is cause the plant to put out more branches. What you don't want to do is cut off branches that have next season's buds and flowers. Do a google and learn when the plants set buds-- you trim in rhythum with the bud set.
When you "terminal bud"-- that means you are removing the growing tip-- and the plant will respond with two branches-- making it thicker.
You didn't say what zone you are in-- Liliac likes more northern climates but with afternoon shade will grow where the temperatures are higher. Forsythia do well in southern states and northern states.
As winter is approaching-- and because I'm old-- I'd find a used book store and see what they have in gardening-- Readers Digest has a pretty good beginner gardening book-- there are quite a few out there-- and then you can spend your winter in front of the fireplace, dreaming and learning what you want to do in the spring.. Add a cat and you're in heaven!
good luck

Answer 3

After the leaves have fallen off or died back, cut the shrub back to about one foot from the ground or to its base if you know what I mean. I could trim causes the bush to focus on new blooms for next spring plus it makes the shrub solidify and not look as wirey. Good luck!!

Answer 4

After the first frost.. or so, when they lose all of their leaves & become dormant, find & trim back the larger branches about 4-6" (inches). Don't trim too far back or your bushes won't come back out in the spring.