Return to the Azalea & Rhododendron Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
How far back can I prune my azaleas?
| | |
Posted by aggierose Dallas, Tx (My Page) on Tue, Jun 16, 09 at 17:54
| There are azalea bushes along the entire front of my house. They are beautiful, but have gotten huge. They are about 6 feet tall now and have over taken the front of the house to the point it just doesn't look that good anymore. The plants are at least 10 years old. I want to prune them way back, but if I cut so much as 6-8 inches off I am left with nothing but sticks. There are only leaves on the outer edges of all the plants. Is this normal for azaleas? If I prune them back to just 4 feet will they come back ok even though they will be left with only branches? I know I should have pruned them earlier, but if I prune them now will I have a chance at any blooms next year? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: How far back can I prune my azaleas?
| | |
- Posted by morz8 Z8 Wa coast (My Page) on
Wed, Jun 17, 09 at 21:46
| Your chance for blooms next year pruning now may be dependent on your weather this season...If you don't wait any longer I think you at least have a chance for buds to set in late summer in what must be a Z8 climate (?). If your azaleas are healthy you can cut them back to the desired 4' or even lower - unlike large leafed rhododendrons, azaleas have dormant buds all along their stems just under the bark and will sprout from immediately below any cut you make. If they are too tall at 6' and 4' is ideal, you may want to cut them back even lower - or be faced with another major pruning job in a few short years. |
|
|
|
|
