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How to trim back overgrown azaleas


How to prune azaleas: to keep them healthy and beautiful

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Learning how to prune azaleas is easy and worthwhile. You will be rewarded with healthy plants that continue to bring color to your garden. 

Azaleas are popular flowering shrubs in the rhododendron family. They are prized for their wide range of hues, including warm oranges and cool and tranquil pale pinks. 

It is easy to grow azaleas and to take care of them, making them a very popular choice for gardeners. They can be prone to some disease though, so knowing when to plant azaleas and regular pruning is a great way to ensure that your plant stays healthy. 

When learning how to prune azaleas, you must first consider that there are two different types. It is therefore important to ascertain which type you have, so that you get the pruning correct. 

It is just as important to know when to leave azaleas alone and not prune. Taking the time to acquaint yourself with the practices using this simple guide will keep your azaleas beautiful year after year and a worthy addition to your flower bed ideas.  

How to prune azaleas of different types

(Image credit: Getty Images/ Teresa Kopec)

Azaleas have large showy flowers that cover the plant in spring. They are tolerant of some shade and add a huge burst of color in spring to any border, so are a good choice as shrubs for shade. 

Before you can know how to prune azaleas, determine which of the two types of these flowering shrubs you have. Although they are part of the same family, there are differences from how to prune rhododendron:

Once you have determined whether your plant is deciduous or an evergreen shrub, you can then focus on how to prune azaleas.

Deciduous azaleas only need to be lightly pruned to remove diseased or damaged stems.

Evergreen azaleas, so long as they are placed in the correct position with the right soil type, and are well tended to according to the conditions in your hardiness zone, only need pruning either to remove dead wood, or reduce their size if they are starting, for example, to grow over a pathway.

'The first rule of pruning evergreen azaleas is to select the right varieties in the first place and plant them where they will do what you want without a lot of pruning,' is the advice from The American Rhododendron Society .

Pruning azaleas step by step

(Image credit: Getty Images/ Jacky Parker)

Azaleas have been popular since the days of Victorian garden design – and it's easy to see why with their beautiful blooms. Follow these steps for pruning azaleas t keep them looking their best:

'When pruning back, try to leave some leaves on the shoot, as you will get better branching from the buds near the leaves,' advise the experts at rhododendron and azalea specialists Millais Nurseries .

(Image credit: Getty Images / Cyndi Monaghan)

How and when should azaleas be pruned?

How and when you should prune azaleas will depend on the type that you have, and its condition. Using this guide, you can identify the type of azalea that you have and apply the correct pruning regime. 

You should lightly 'prune evergreen azaleas immediately after the blooms have faded in spring', advise the experts ay Wilson Bros Gardens .

Azaleas can be lightly pruned after flowering to remove any diseased material.

You should not prune evergreen azaleas at the end of summer or in fall, 'because you want to avoid cutting off fall-produced flower buds that will be next spring's blooms,' they continue.

Pruning azaleas should therefore stop by mid-summer. Heavy pruning of azaleas should be done in late winter and early spring – see tips on rejuvenation pruning below.

(Image credit: Getty Images / Photos by R A Kearton)

How often should you trim azaleas?

'Regular light pruning of azaleas after flowering can dramatically improve the habit of a misshapen azalea plant over the course of a few seasons,' advise the experts at Millais Nurseries.

It may also be necessary to control azaleas which are taking up too much space next to a drive or a path, especially if they have been included as shrubs for the front of the house.

(Image credit: Mtreasure/Getty Images)

How far back can you trim an azalea?

How far back you can trim an azalea will depend on how large and old it is.

A plant that is in good condition may require little or no pruning. If you want your plant to grow large, especially if it is a shrub for privacy, avoid pruning it too much, and just stay on top of any diseased-looking material. 

If it is a scraggly azalea or has grown out of control, 'sometimes radical action and heavy pruning is required,' says the experts at Millais Nurseries. 'But there are no half measures and it will open up a large hole in the landscape.' 

A plant that has grown too large, particularly if you're trying to develop a bonsai tree type, or is starting to look unkempt, can be pruned back hard to re-establish its shape and to keep it under control. But bear in mind it may not flower the following year. This will be worth it, though, if an old shrub past its best is then transformed back into a young, healthy and well-shaped azalea in future years. So don’t be afraid to take drastic action when required.

(Image credit: Getty Images / Keith Getter)

How do you prune azaleas to rejuvenate?

How to prune azaleas to rejuvenate them if they are overgrown or old is to give them a new lease of life with a harsh trim.

Rejuvenation pruning azaleas should be done in 'late winter or early spring,' explain the experts at Miracle-Gro . 'You'll have a year without flowers when you do this,' they add.

You can also 'spread the rejuvenation pruning of azaleas out over several seasons,' advise the experts at Wilson Bros Gardens , pruning some of the plant each year. This will maintain some of the blooms and will feel less daunting.

This more gradual approach is done over a three-year period, as follows:

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Can azaleas be pruned back hard?

You can prune azaleas back hard, but it may affect their ability to produce flowers the following year. This course of action might be necessary, however, to stop one from taking over your bed or border, and stop it crowding or shadowing other plants. 

How hard you cut an azalea back will depend on how large and how old it is. Larger, older azaleas can be cut back harder than smaller plants.  

(Image credit: Getty Images / Teresa Kopec)

Will azaleas grow back if cut down?

Azaleas will grow back if cut down with the method used for rejuvenation pruning, as above. You need to make sure that you do this at the correct time of year, in late winter or early spring, before the growing season, so that the plant will produce new growth.

Azaleas are fairly fast growing shrubs, and the plant should have grown to a nice shape and produce lots of beautiful blooms within about three years after this manner of extreme pruning.

This feature was created by H&G sister brand, Period Living magazine

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Rachel is senior content editor, and writes and commissions gardening content for homesandgardens.com, Homes & Gardens magazine, and its sister titles Period Living Magazine and Country Homes & Interiors. She has written for lifestyle magazines for many years, with a particular focus on gardening, historic houses and arts and crafts, but started out her journalism career in BBC radio, where she enjoyed reporting on and writing programme scripts for all manner of stories. Rachel then moved into regional lifestyle magazines, where the topics she wrote about, and people she interviewed, were as varied and eclectic as they were on radio. Always harboring a passion for homes and gardens, she jumped at the opportunity to work on The English Home and The English Garden magazines for a number of years, before joining the Period Living team, then the wider Homes & Gardens team, specializing in gardens.

When & How To Prune, Trim Or Cut Back Evergreen Azalea Shrubs

When & How To Prune, Trim Or Cut Back Evergreen Azalea Shrubs | Wilson Bros Gardens

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Posted by Brent Wilson on 8/30/2016 to Pruning Tips

Pruning Azaleas is not difficult once you learn how to do it. Though azaleas can handle almost any amount of pruning, wrong pruning can effect blooming and leave you with unsightly plants. When it comes to pruning azaleas, a little good advice goes a long way towards growing pretty plants that will bloom heavier with each new year that comes. 

Please Note: If you are pruning Encore Azaleas or other reblooming Azaleas go here 

Here's what you need to know regarding pruning evergreen azaleas...

When To Prune Evergreen Azaleas

Please Note: If you are pruning Encore Azaleas or other reblooming Azaleas go here 

Azaleas do not require pruning, though they respond very well to it when pruned at the right time. You want to prune your evergreen azaleas immediately after the blooms have faded in spring.

The next question might be...

Should I prune my evergreen azaleas at the end of summer or in the fall? The answer is: no. Why? Because you want to avoid cutting off fall-produced flower buds that will be next spring's blooms. Too, mid to late fall pruning can stimulate tender new foliage that could be damaged or killed by an early frost or freezing temperatures. So, to avoid problems, cease pruning evergreen azaleas in mid-summer.

How To Prune Evergreen Azaleas

Maintenance Pruning

At any time of year it's good practice to remove damaged or dead branches if and when they appear on your evergreen azaleas. This helps to keep the plant tidy and prevent the spread of disease. Cut back damaged or broken branches just beyond the point of the break and preferably just above a leaf on the branch. Cut back dead branches at their origin. 

After Spring Bloom

When pruning an evergreen azalea immediately after its blooms have faded in spring, use a sharp pair of  bypass hand pruners to cut back back stems that have outgrown the rest of the shrub and/or are spoiling the shape of the plant. Make your branch cuts at a point a couple inches or so above the main form of the plant. Try to make your cuts about an inch above a leaf on the branch.

Tip:  It's a good idea to feed your azaleas after you prune them with an Azalea Fertilizer.

Note:  I don't like using hedge trimmers to prune azaleas. Reason being, shearing foliage will cut their leaves in half, leaving your plants with an unsightly appearance. Instead it's best to selectively prune using a pair of sharp bypass hand pruners.

Rejuvenation Pruning

Rejuvenation pruning is a, extreme pruning method most often used to restore older, tired and thinned out azaleas to health and vigor. It involves cutting the branches of the shrub back to short stumps. This is the only way to remove all of the old wood and provide the plant with one hundred percent juvenile wood loaded with leaf buds.

When and if your azaleas require rejuvenation pruning, there are two basic methods for doing so. You can cut the overgrown shrub back in one fell swoop, or spread the pruning out over several seasons.

One fell swoop...

If you choose the all-at-once approach, cut all the branches back to 6 to 12 inches above ground level in late winter or very early spring, before they would ordinarily flush out with new growth. When using this method, avoid feeding the azalea after pruning. After pruning, the shrub will typically grow a fair amount of new growth in the first year but will not start to produce blooms again until the second year. By the third or fourth year after the rejuvenation pruning the shrub should be of fair size and have a nice, compact shape. From this point on, you can prune it lightly as normal.

Gradual approach...

The more gradual approach to rejuvenation pruning involves spreading the process over a three year period; cutting 1/3 of the stems to within 6 to 12 inches of the ground at the beginning of each growing season. By the end of this time, all the old wood will be removed and only healthy new growth will remain. When using this method, you can feed as normal after pruning.

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how to do it right before and after flowering, how to quickly prune at home, care for and pinch

Agrotechnics for self-cultivation of a rather capricious houseplant, Azalea, consists of several mandatory measures. In addition to maintaining a comfortable temperature, ensuring proper lighting, fertilizing and watering, pruning also includes. Removing unwanted sprouts will ensure lush flowering and increase the immunity of the plant.

Contents

Why prune Azaleas?

Without pruning, Azaleas will lose their decorative appearance over time, become untidy, and bloom will become increasingly scarce. nine0003

Regular pruning of the plant serves several purposes:

  1. Crown formation. It can be given a certain shape - spherical, conical, cylindrical or arched, not allowing the branches of the plant to grow randomly.
  2. Removal of inflorescences after flowering. At the same time, dry shoots and most of the green mass that has grown during budding and flowering are cut off.
  3. Thinning the crown to prevent the development of diseases and pests. Too dense foliage prevents the access of light and fresh air inside the bush, leads to waterlogging of some areas. nine0008
  4. Preparing for winter. It consists in removing too long shoots and young branches located next to the flower buds.

How many times a year?

After purchase, Azalea does not need to be cut for about a year. During this period, it is still under the influence of regulators that inhibit the growth of shoots. They process plants before selling.

Further pruning is divided into:

  1. Mandatory, carried out once a year after the Azalea has faded. nine0008
  2. Additional - necessary when the bush grows too intensively.
  3. Sanitary. They are carried out in case of plant disease or damage by pests. Sick, weakened, deformed, discolored shoots are removed.

Important! In no case should you prune a plant that blooms.

How to trim at home?

Prune Azaleas in the morning. The procedure itself will not cause difficulties if you do not rush and act in accordance with the instructions:

  1. Pruning tool (knife or secateurs) is treated with alcohol.
  2. First remove or shorten the outer long branches, giving the plant a nice regular shape. Each shoot must have at least 3 leaves.
  3. Next, thinning is carried out - removal of shoots in too dense areas. They also cut off those branches whose growth is directed inside the crown.
  4. Remove weak, diseased, slow growing shoots.
  5. Treat cut sites to prevent bacterial and fungal infections. For processing, wood ash or a synthetic agent designed to disinfect plant tissues is suitable. Before processing the sections, they must be allowed to dry a little. nine0008

When pruning Azalea, it is important not to overdo it. Too heavily pruned plant will take a long time to recover and will not bloom at the right time. However, there should not be a weak pruning, in this case the Azalea will release few flowers.

Attention! Azalea plant juice is poisonous, getting it on the skin and mucous membranes can cause an allergic reaction or burns. Therefore, it is recommended to prune the plant with gardening gloves, avoiding getting the juice into the eyes.

As a result of the procedure, you should get a neat bush of a rounded shape, with branches located at the same distance from the center. New foliage will begin to appear in about 2 weeks.

In summer

According to the time of flowering, Azaleas are divided into early, medium and late flowering:

  1. Early varieties bloom from December to January.
  2. Medium-flowering varieties bloom in January-March.
  3. Late varieties bloom in February-April.

Pruning should be carried out when the plant has completely faded. Also, the best time for this event will be the beginning of June, when the Azaleas have a dormant period. The advantage of summer pruning is the ability to intensively remove the shoots of an overgrown plant. For a long warm season, the bush will have time to fully recover.

Feature! Do not prune Azaleas in late July-early August. At this time, new flower buds are formed at the tops of the shoots. If you cut them, there is a risk of not waiting for flowering in the coming season. nine0003

For the winter

If during the summer the tree grew too actively green mass, it is possible that another pruning will have to be done in early autumn.

The criteria for the need for an additional procedure are:

Pruning for the winter should not be too intensive, since in winter it is much more difficult for indoor plants to recover than in summer.

Interesting! If the Azalea is a deciduous variety of flowers, it should be moved to a cool room immediately after summer pruning. It does not need to be cut for the winter.

Before flowering

If, after flowering, Azaleas are pruned quite intensively, then closer to the beginning of a new flowering, the following rules should be followed:

  1. Dried twigs can be removed at any time of the year to maintain the decorative effect of the flower.
  2. For successful and abundant flowering of Azaleas, it is important to prune them correctly in early summer. In this case, as many tops with flower buds as possible will have time to form on it.
  3. When pruning for the winter, do not cut off the tops with flower buds. New buds will not have time to form by the time of flowering, and there will be no flowers.
  4. If the plant is diseased or infested with pests, cut it off regardless of when it should flower. Shoots are shortened to white wood. nine0008

What to do after flowering?

After the tree has faded:

If for some reason it was not possible to cut the plant in time, it is better to wait for the next favorable moment for this procedure. nine0003

Is it necessary to pinch and in what cases?

The growth of Azalea branches depends on the active apical bud of each of the shoots. At the same time, being at rest, the lateral kidneys remain inactive. To activate them, manually remove the top of the shoot with the rudiments of young leaves, forcing the plant to branch. This is the main reason for pinching. Thanks to him, the crown of the tree becomes more magnificent and the number of future buds increases.

Azalea pinching is carried out about 3 times a year, the first procedure is carried out in May, the last - at the end of July. Pinching is done in the following sequence:

Important! The main contraindication for the procedure is the flowering time!

Care after pruning

After summer pruning, Azaleas need to be rested so that they can recover. At this time, the plant actively builds up the root system. nine0003

After any Azalea pruning, the following conditions must be created:

  1. High humidity.
  2. Use purified, cool, soft water for irrigation.
  3. No direct sunlight. The best option is penumbra.
  4. Compliance with the temperature regime. In winter - up to +14 C, and in summer with well-humidified air - up to +20 ... +21 C.

Attention! Loosening the soil is not recommended, as this procedure can damage the delicate roots of the plant. nine0003

how and when to do it right at home, is it necessary after flowering, as well as the nuances of care and photos of indoor rhododendronDacha expert

Azalea is one of the ornamental shrubs. Belongs to the heather family. In the wild, this plant is found in some areas of Europe, as well as Asia and North America.

It gained great popularity in the twentieth century, and is grown in special nurseries and botanical gardens. It is in great demand because of the beautiful flowering. This plant is quite finicky, but only during flowering. In this article, we will show a photo of a beautifully “trimmed” rhododendron and tell you when and how to properly prune this plant, whether it can be done after flowering, and what further care should be at home. nine0201

Show content

  • What is pruning and why does indoor rhododendron need it?
  • When is it recommended?
  • How to trim after flowering?
  • How many times a year is the procedure required?
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Possible mistakes and how to avoid them
  • Photo
  • Aftercare at home
  • Related video:

    • What is pruning and why does indoor rhododendron need it? nine0029

    Pruning in plants is the main procedure. This is done so that the plant is healthy and does not hurt.

    It is necessary to prune almost all types of plants that are fertile. Pruning for plants is very important, because it is thanks to it that you can regulate the size and growth of the plant. In addition, it becomes possible to correct and change the shape and the ability to influence the fruiting processes and the qualities of already ripening fruits. There are several types of pruning. nine0003

    Help! It is not necessary to remove all branches, but only those that are sufficiently extended. Before you start pruning an azalea, you should check with the lunar calendar.

    This plant can be not only cut, but also pinched. This is done so that the plant grows and develops better, in order to be able to adjust the shape of the azalea. This is also done so that the plant has many flower buds.

    When is it recommended?

    Proper pruning of the plant is necessary for the azalea flowers to grow and develop faster, as well as to bloom well and intensively. Pruning should only be done after the plant has finished flowering.

    As the azalea blooms from the end of autumn to the end of spring, the pruning procedure can be started from the beginning of June. In addition, at this time, the plant has a dormant period.

    Under no circumstances should the plant be pruned during flowering. nine0003

    How to trim after flowering?

    Only the long shoots of plant need to be pruned after flowering, if they reach the middle of the length of the other shoots and are densely growing. In addition, there is a need to trim weak or diseased shoots.

    How many times a year is the procedure required?

    Azaleas should be pruned once a year, otherwise there is no need for pruning. It can be carried out before flowering only if some of the shoots start to hurt, grow poorly, or if pests appear on them. nine0003

    Step-by-step instructions

    1. Preparing instruments . To trim this plant, a knife is used, which will be very well sharpened, but a pruner is best suited for this procedure. In any case, the knife or pruner must be treated with a solution that contains 70 to 90 percent alcohol.
    2. Choice of cutting location . The cut point of the plant can be anywhere, as you can adjust the shape to your taste. Therefore, there is not much difference. nine0008
    3. Section of a plant part. First you need to remove the largest and largest branches. To make the plant beautiful, it is better to give it a shape in the form of a ball. Some gardeners remove shoots in the middle of the plant, particularly those that grow inside the bush.

      Next, already diseased and weak azalea shoots are removed. To determine which plant shoots are weak and which are not, you need to look at the leaves of the azalea. If there are no buds on the leaves, there should be two or one on healthy shoots. If there are many buds on a leaf, then they will be an obstacle in obtaining other leaves of sunlight. nine0003

      Too much pruning will harm the plant itself and it will hurt for a long time. Also, with strong pruning, the azalea will not be able to bloom, since it simply will not have the strength to do so.

      Attention! Weak pruning of a plant can also greatly harm it. As a result of such pruning, the azalea will release only a small number of inflorescences.

    4. Finishing the cut . After pruning, it is imperative to disinfect those parts of the plant where the pruning procedure was carried out. For disinfection, you can use a special paste for this, called "RANNET". It will help save the plant from pathogens. In addition, it will help in the rapid growth of leaves and twigs. nine0008

    Possible mistakes and how to avoid them

    Plants should be pruned at least once a year. There are twelve most common mistakes in pruning shrubs:

    1. Pruning only those branches that are broken or cracked. The main mistake here is that there is an opinion that if you remove only dry and cracked branches, then everything will be fine. But this is not the case and it is necessary to delete the entire branch.
    2. Large leaf growth. nine0231 Stems and branches should not be allowed to grow, as this may cause problems with flowering, since the plant will not receive enough light.

      In addition, due to the lack of sun, especially if it grows in the shade, pests and diseases can appear. Therefore, too little pruning can also harm the plant.

    3. Inaccurate and incorrect bud pruning. This cutting is the most difficult, since there is a high probability of making a mistake with the angle at which the cut will be made, with the height of the cut. You can accidentally hook the bark and burrs can form on it. nine0002 To carry out such pruning correctly, it is necessary to attach a knife from the base and to the top of the shoot from the side of the branch that is opposite to the kidney. The cutting angle must not exceed 45 degrees.

      In order for the shoot not to dry out, in no case should a stump be left.

    4. Poorly sharpened tool. Common pruning tools include pruning shears, secateurs, saws and hacksaws. If they are poorly sharpened, then it will simply not be possible to carry out the trimming process without damaging the bark. Such tools will leave injuries to plants, torn and pointed scars. In addition, a person can inflict injury on himself. nine0002 Poorly sharpened power tools are especially dangerous.

    5. Cut only the branches that are outside. If the center of the plant is too dense, then problems such as: Disease and pests of the plant may arise as a result. Only one or two main shoots should be in the center, they will be quite enough. Now the plant will receive the amount of light and air it needs.
    6. Many competing shoots. nine0231 Most often, the plant produces several main shoots at once. Thus, they begin to fight for vital resources and nutrients. Because of this, the entire plant weakens and may even die. Therefore, you should remove all these shoots and leave the most hardy ones. Others are best shortened by 35 percent.

      Shoots that do not grow well or are diseased should be removed first.

    7. Kidney damage. In order not to damage the buds in any way when cutting the shoots, the pruner must be placed at the correct angle for cutting. To begin with, the largest and longest branches are removed, and then the small ones. nine0002 Tip! First of all, you need to delete external, and then internal branches.

    8. Do not prune blind shoots. Blind shoots are those on which there are no flowers. Also, the shoots must be removed to the lowest kidney.
    9. A plant disease that has not been cured in time. If old shoots are not removed during pruning, diseases such as:
      • rust;
      • powdery mildew;
      • spotting; nine0008
      • mold.
    10. Lots of cropped flowering shoots.
    11. Unsuitable cutting tool. If you need to cut 6 centimeters, then you should choose a saw, and if you need to cut only 2 centimeters, then you can use a pruner or garden shears.
    12. Untimely pruning of the plant. If you do not prune in time, the plant begins to dry, hurt and rot.

    Picture

    See what an indoor rhododendron looks like after pruning.

    Learn more