With the anticipation of spring and returning pops of color, you may find your forsythia and lilac a bit lackluster, if improperly managed. The early-blooming and free-flowing forsythia, if managed like a hedge, portrays a strict military appearance, complete with a crew cut and almost flowerless display. Prompted by their massive sprawling nature, many gardeners and homeowners attempt to tame these beasts by midseason, relegating next season's blooms to the compost pile.