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Trim azaleas in the fall


How to Trim Azaleas in the Fall | Home Guides

By Elizabeth Perry Updated February 09, 2021

Azaleas, part of the Rhododendron genus and Ericaceae family, are considered some of the best shrubs for gardens because they are hardy, colorful and beautiful. Azaleas are evergreen or deciduous shrubs that provide year-round interest through foliage and flowers. There are many varieties of azaleas to choose from; with proper care and attention throughout the year, including appropriate azalea pruning, your azaleas will thrive.

What Are Azaleas?

Although azaleas and rhododendrons share the same genus, there are some key differences between them. Rhododendron shrubs have larger leaves and their flowers are bell-shaped, while azalea bushes have smaller leaves with more funnel-shaped flowers. Different azalea varieties thrive in different parts of the U.S. For example, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden, Rhododendron calendulaceum, also known as flame azalea, does well in U. S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 7, while Rhododendron periclymenoides, or pinxterbloom azalea, does well in zones 4 through 9.

The New York Botanical Garden highlights that azalea bushes in their natural habitats are often found at the edge of woodlands, where they can take advantage of acidic, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Depending on the specific climate in which they are planted, azaleas generally bloom in the early spring, when there is no further danger of frost and temperatures are steady in the upper ranges. Bloom times of azaleas depends on weather, USDA hardiness zones and local climates. Evergreen azaleas persist through the winter in milder climates, while deciduous azaleas – popular, for example, in Northeastern U.S. – will lose some of their leaves and become dormant in the fall and winter, remaining beautiful in their delicate woodiness.

Sun and Soil Requirements

Azalea plants do best in full sun or partial shade – receiving at least four hours of sunlight a day. In full sun, they will grow more compactly, whereas in partial shade they will stretch more as they grow and possibly produce fewer flowers but those that will last longer. If you are in an especially warm climate, you may want to err on the side of partial shade for your azalea bushes, so that their leaves are not burned in intense heat, Gardening Know How adds, but too much shade will encourage weaker growth.

Plants in the Ericaceae family, including azaleas, blueberries, hydrangea and others, are acid-loving, Gardening Know How also emphasizes. Azalea shrubs need acidic soil that is consistently moist but not overly wet. To make sure your soil is able to retain sufficient moisture, make sure it is rich in organic matter and amend it as necessary with compost. Also, ensure it is well-draining; for example, avoid organic material that is too fine, such as peat moss. Test and adjust the water retention and acidity of your soil as necessary to allow your azaleas to flourish.

Planting, Watering and Fertilizing

When choosing a location to plant azaleas, make sure there is enough room for air to circulate around each bush, and choose an area where the shrubs won’t be overly prone to wind damage. You should space the bushes to accommodate for their size at maturity, which will vary depending on the variety of azalea. Azalea roots are fairly shallow, so preparing the entire planting site rather than just the hole will lead to greater success. Once your azaleas are planted, mulch the soil – using broken-up leaves or compost, or pine straw and bark, which bring acidity.

It is important to water newly-planted azaleas as their roots will dry out, especially if there is little rain. Generally, water azaleas thoroughly at the base of the plant when the soil appears dry, wetting to a depth of 8 to 12 inches, but do not overwater. Avoid overhead watering, which invites disease. In terms of feeding, azaleas are fairly low-maintenance, the New York Botanical Garden explains. A two- to three-year feeding cycle is typically enough. It is common to fertilize azaleas in spring, when they are producing new growth. A fall feeding, for example in late September or October, may help azaleas store energy over their dormant period in anticipation for growth in the spring.

Azalea Pruning: Timing

Azalea fall care is important if you want your plants to do well year-round and produce an impressive spring flower display year after year. You may want to tidy up your azalea bush a bit before fall by removing any completely dead growth. You should avoid significant azalea pruning in the fall, however. Azalea bushes bloom mostly on “old wood,” meaning on growth that was new last year. If you remove the past season’s new growth in the late summer or fall, you risk losing next year's blooms.

The best time for azalea pruning is just after spring/early summer blooming and before new buds have formed. Southern Living recommends pruning azaleas within the three weeks following the end of springtime blooming. According to Gardening Know How, next year’s blooms typically start forming in July, so you should not prune after that, although the exact timing will vary depending on your local climate.

Tip

Do not significantly prune azaleas in the fall or you will lose next spring’s blooms. Instead, more significant azalea pruning, if necessary, should be done in late spring, just after the past season’s blooms have faded.

Azalea Pruning: Method

In general, azalea shrubs require little pruning. Occasional light pruning, however, can encourage the circulation of sunlight and air around the plant and promote new growth. For light pruning, remove stray shoots from the base of the plant by making cuts with hand clippers next to large, woody branches. If your azalea is over-growing its location, you might need to do more significant pruning.

Warning

Make sure you use clean, sharp tools for azalea pruning. Disinfect tools before use with household cleaners, bleach or isopropyl alcohol. Using tools to prune that haven’t been cleaned or properly sharpened can invite disease and pest issues.

Prune azaleas to conform generally to the plant’s natural shape, rather than creating a box or another unnatural shape. If you are pruning your azalea to maintain its size or shape, identify the branches that are at odds with what you want, and cut them back. Azaleas will grow new branches from right below where you cut, so you don’t need to be overly concerned about where along the branch you cut, although you should not cut any one branch by more than a third. If you are pruning in order to rejuvenate an azalea or encourage bushier growth, identify three to five of the bush’s largest branches and cut those back by a third to a half, then lightly trim the other branches. Hand clippers will likely be sufficient to complete this work, but you can also use loppers if you are cutting particularly woody branches.

Warning

Never prune more than a third of an entire tree or shrub at any given time, or it may die.

Things You Will Need

References

Tips

Warnings

Writer Bio

Elizabeth Perry is a writer and editor. She graduated with honors from Vassar College in 2013, earning her BA in English and specializing in literature and literary theory. She is a lover of sustainable agriculture and self-reliance, and has experience gardening and farming, including on a flower farm. She has contributed creative writing, arts journalism, and literary criticism to a variety of publications, both in print and online.

How to prune azaleas: to keep them healthy and beautiful

(Image credit: Getty Images / twomeows)

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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Period Living is the UK's best-selling period homes magazine. A subscription provides you with all you need to know about caring for and improving a traditional house and garden

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.

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 rhododendron Dacha 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. nine0005

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 an indoor rhododendron need it? nine0030

    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, there is the possibility of correcting and changing 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 cutting 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.

    Since 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 the plant need to be pruned after flowering, if they reach the middle 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. nine0012
    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. nine0012

    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. nine0035 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. Trims only those 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. nine0035 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. To avoid damaging the buds in any way while 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. Not pruning blind shoots. Blind shoots are those without 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; nine0012
      • mold.
    10. Lots of trimmed 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.

    Aftercare at home

    After the pruning procedure, care for the azalea should continue the same as before.

    For this procedure to be successful, all the features of this plant should be taken into account. In order to know them well, you need to carefully monitor your plant (you can find out about the optimal home conditions for azalea here). Only in this case it will delight everyone around with its flowering for a long time. nine0003

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    Watch a video on how to prune an azalea:

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