When should I prune my azalea and rhododendron bushes?
by
Adria
+1
Help! We purchased our first home last year in NE PA and fell in love with the large yard. I couldn't wait to plant my dream flower garden. There were already a few rhodo and azalea bushes and they bloomed fine last year. However, they did very poorly this season and are in desperate need of trimming?shaping. Unfortunately I have no idea where or when to start! I have read that if I cut them at the wrong time I can ruin their chance of blooming next year. Can you please advise me on the right time and way to make them look great again?
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Adria...we do ours in fall
Yep--in the fall!
Thank you for you help!
Prune azaleas soon after they bloom in the spring or early summer. The perfect time is when spent flowers begin to discolor and shrivel. Cutting them back in late summer, fall, or winter will remove flower buds and keep them from blooming.