Pruning Rhododendrons and Azaleas

The general rule of thumb for pruning flowering bushes is to trim the bushes within 4-ish weeks after they finish flowering. The pruning will encourage new, healthy growth during the growing season. The remainder of the growing season flowering bushes will be working on setting buds for the next year.

My rhododendrons and azaleas have finished so I’ll get to work on shaping them a bit. I tend to focus on:

· Dead or diseased branches (which should be pruned at any time)

· Branches sticking out or ones that "look funny"

· Branches touching the ground

· Branches touching the house

· Leggy branches that are long, skinny and have few leaves

Rhodys and azaleas can tolerate a hard pruning. I also sometimes shape my bushes a bit depending on where they are in the garden. I tend to prune a bit most years, but if I miss a year, no big deal. Good luck! And, remember, it's YOUR garden so make it how you like it.

All the best!

Patty