By “readily,” I mean that established plants can, depending on the cultivar, add 2 to 4 feet of new limb per year on each branch. So, if you want to prevent your forsythias from becoming bullies to nearby plants, pruning is necessary every few years. To minimize the loss of future flowers, this deed is best done right after the current bloom parade fades. But how you want them to look in your garden will determine how you prune them.

First, if your goal is to treat forsythias like boxwoods and shape them into pyramids, ’57 Chevys, or large-than-life renditions of family pets, using a hedge trimmer is the way to go.

Myself, I’m not a big fan of pruning forsythias into something they ain’t. In my humble opinion, these shrubs look best — and more natural — when they are allowed to mature into their typical flowing, cascading shapes.

However, any forsythia that is allowed to grow with its flow still needs to be pruned occasionally. This is best done with hand pruners or loppers, and the instructions are simple: Just cut the longest intruding stems off at intersecting branch joints tucked away inside the bush.

If your forsythia has turned into a large, sprawling botanical beast, it can be tamed by cutting all the limbs back to about a foot from the ground. Sure, this will definitely curb its flower power for a while, but remember forsythia is a fast grower, meaning it should come roaring back in a lovely way in just a few years.

But if pruning has never been your favorite garden chore, minimize such maintenance by planting compact forsythias like ‘Show Off,’ a cultivar that only stretches to about 6 feet tall and wide. Ditto for ‘Sunrise.’ Want even smaller? Try ‘Gold Tide,’ or ‘Show Off Sugar Baby’ — they both grow to a modest 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide.

There are, of course, other cultivars available that restrain themselves in size, so check with your local, friendly garden center to see what they might have to offer. As an obvious alternative, try e-nurseries online.