How to prune forsythia 'show off'

Immediately after flowering finishes (spring, once all blooms have faded). After bloom, remove up to one-third of the oldest stems at ground level. Trim remaining stems back to a lateral bud to shape and control size. Show Off's compact habit means it needs less aggressive cutting than standard Forsythia, but annual thinning still improves flower density over time.

Annually after bloom. Show Off Forsythia is a more compact, tidier grower than older Forsythia cultivars but still blooms on previous year's wood. Prune right after flowering each year — never in autumn or winter. Annual thinning of the oldest stems keeps flowering dense and prevents the woody, sparse center common in neglected forsythias.

After bloom, remove up to one-third of the oldest stems at ground level. Trim remaining stems back to a lateral bud to shape and control size. Show Off's compact habit means it needs less aggressive cutting than standard Forsythia, but annual thinning still improves flower density over time.