FFA Horticulture CDE General Practice Exam

Plants like forsythia, lilac, and spirea should typically be pruned:

1. In the spring

2. In the winter

3. In the fall

4. After flowering

The correct answer is: In the fall

Forsythia, lilac, and spirea are deciduous shrubs that flower in early spring, producing blooms on wood that has grown during the previous season. The ideal time to prune these plants is shortly after they finish flowering. This timing allows for the preservation of the buds that will develop for the next year’s blossoms, as pruning them any later can remove these essential buds that have already formed. When pruned too early, in the winter or fall, the shrubs can be exposed to cold temperatures and potential injury before they can leaf out and bloom in spring. Additionally, late spring or summer pruning may remove the flowering wood, thereby reducing the quantity of blooms. By pruning right after flowering, the plants can also benefit from the new growth that occurs in the summer, leading to a more robust structure and healthier plant overall.