Azaleas - Pruning

Correct pruning will result in luxurious azaleas.

Occasionally, azalea plants are allowed to grow quite large, in fact too large, for their location. These can safely be pruned back to within inches of the ground.

Many shrubs are overlooked when pruning time comes around. Azaleas are among the most neglected or incorrectly pruned shrubs in our landscape. This originated from the time when azaleas were considered very rare.

Pruning is important…

The few people who grew azaleas were afraid any pruning could damage or kill them. Consequently, only the avid and secure gardener would prune or cut them.

It should be remembered that azaleas, like most shrubs, will be healthier, more compact and attractive if pruned beginning when quite young and continued throughout the life of the plant. Pruning can, when correctly done, improve a plant's appearance, reduce the size of overgrown plants, remove dead, diseased, or weak stems and increase the number of flowers.

Even though it may be quite difficult to do any real heavy or severe pruning, azaleas should be done 3 - 4 weeks before flowering, usually mid to late March, depending upon the area in which you live. Pruning at this time results in less shock, and results in fast, vigorous new growth which can be pruned again until late summer for a fuller, more compact plant.

Severe pruning…

Azaleas which have not had regular and scheduled attention may develop long, unbranched shoots. These shoots can be cut out to a point down inside the plant or beyond the general foliage outline of the plant. This will cause as many as 5 or 6 new shoots to develop.

If you don't have the heart to prune before flowering, you might find it easier to prune immediately after flowering as new growth is starting.

Young plants - the first year after planting will benefit from several pinchings during the growing season. Pinching can be done by using your fingernails or small hand pruners to remove the tip of stems to promote branching.

For more information on pruning azaleas, contact your local County Extension Office.