Shrubs such as lilac, forsythia, flowering quince and others that bloom in the spring, generally set their flower buds the previous fall.

One reason they fail to bloom is that people prune these during the winter along with their ornamental or fruit trees. This simply cuts off the buds that would have resulted in flowers the next spring.

These types of shrubs should be pruned after they finish flowering.

Some springs, the tops of forsythia bushes fail to flower. Lower parts of the stems may be packed with the yellow blooms. The problem is that forsythia flower buds may be killed during an extremely cold winter. If snow has piled up the stem a couple of feet, the lower buds are insulated and survive to produce flowers.

• Bloom Failure
• Brittle Wood
• Cold Hardiness
• Drainage Problems
• Forsythia Not Blooming
• Grade Change
• Hosta Clump Dieback

• Hosta Drawstring
• Hosta Leaf Meltout
• Hosta Herbicide Damage
• Hosta Spring Damage
• Hosta Spring Dessication
• Hosta Sunburn
• Ice Damage to Trees

• Nutrient Deficiency
• Root Problems of Trees
• Shade Tree Decline
• Shallow Tree Roots
• Transplant Shock
• Wind Damage
• Winter Damage

Note: We have provided some general information and observations on this topic aimed at the home gardener. Before you take any serious action in your landscape, check with your state's land grant university's Cooperative Extension Service for the most current, appropriate, localized recommendations.