How and when should one prune forsythia bushes?

Question

We have an old hedge of forsythia bushes along the edge of our driveway which is currently beginning to encroach a bit on the drive.  We want to maintain a natural look (not a formal or squared-off shaping) and the privacy that the hedge provides.  When should we prune and how?

Answer 1

Forsythia should be pruned as soon as possible after blooming, as next year's blooms will be in the shoots it puts out after it blooms this year.  You can prune it into a hedge shape, or let it keep it's flowing fountain shape.   Cut out branches that are going in the wrong direction and cut back any branches you want.  You can cut it back almost to the ground and it will grow right back up.

Answer 2

after the blossoms are dead, now is the time to prune......start carefully from the side on your driveway sit on a low chair and cut the ones from the bottom and then TRIM the sides.  They are very hardy.  We cut one bush all the way to the ground and it came back.