Prune right after the blooming has finished during the summer months of June and July. Rhododendrons can tolerate severe pruning at any time of year as long as you are willing to wait a year or two for them to re-flower. Figure out how many branches you need to cut, and just do 1/3 of them. Severe pruning of rhododendron is done to correct years of neglect that has led to overgrowth and leggy flowers. You can cut these branches back severely without harming the shrub. Remove rhododendron flower stems as soon as flowering ends. Rhododendrons should be healthy before you prune. The usual time to prune a rhododendron shrub is after the flowers fade. Severe pruning to either of these types of plants should be done in April, although light pruning may be done at any time of year. Rhododendrons respond well to pruning and you can cut back in mid summer after flowering. Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.) It may be salvaged. The best time to do it is in the winter. Weak or sickly plants are best replaced. Any severe pruning of these plants should be done in March or April. Key Points. It is worth trying to propagate older shrubs or plants of sentimental value before heavy pruning in case they do not recover. The stumps left after pruning may range in length from 6 to 30 inches. Arborvitae, as well as juniper, develops a dead zone in the center of the plant. Cutting back a rhododendron leaves little more than stubs… but don’t worry, it will grow back. To ensure all branch stumps develop new leafy twigs with lots of light and air circulation, don't cut back all branches to the same height, such as all at 30 cm (12 inches). Rejuvenation Pruning: As rhododendrons age they lose leaves and often become open and very leggy. Rhododendrons are slow to recover from severe pruning. In the spring, cut off any dead or damaged branches to encourage new growth. Renewal pruning before spring growth, of course, means that flowers are sacrificed for that year. When pruning large Rhododendron, pruning can be a general shaping or shearing of the plants or it can be a severe pruning that significantly reduces the size of the plant. In severe cases, you can sometimes cut your rhododendron to within 6 inches of the ground. The 1 st thing you want to do is prune any branches that are sticking out of the outline profile of the plant. When severe pruning your rhododendron, it is important to remember to be patient. Refrain from pruning in the fall … Next year, do another third, and so on. Do not cut off any tips of the branch shoots for the next two years. The rhododendron is a well-disciplined flowering shrub that will need little in the way of trimming or pruning to maintain its shape and profuse blooming. This will force out side shoots. Cultivated rhododendrons that have to be cut back to a stump likewise frequently recover. It is important to remove the flower stems from the shrub once blooming has stopped. And our guide to Azalea and Rhododendron Maintenance. Prune these all the way back to the source branch. A healthy plant can be cut to the ground and will usually come back. Figure out how many branches you need to cut, and just do 1/3 of them. Pruning them too early will interfere with the budding for this season and pruning them too late will interfere with the next season. Those in heavy … A severely pruned rhododendron is susceptible to insect and disease problems. Photo: properlandscaping.com. You can cut back woody branches into areas where no leaves or lower twigs exist. Next year, do another third, and so on. The disadvantages of this type of pruning are that not all shrubs tolerate drastic cutting, and, until the plant regrows, you are left with an unsightly stub. This is a good rule of thumb for any shrub or tree that needs a severe pruning. Is It Ok if I Cut Back Some Azalea Plants That Had Overgrown? Young rhododendron are best pruned in the spring, after flowers have wilted. Thats sound advice from Ron, excercise caution as some rhodos will never recover from a severe pruning. Rhododendron pruning usually is conducted immediately after the flowering season ends, but no later than mid-June. Prune right after the blooming has finished during the summer months of June and July. Rhododendrons can tolerate severe pruning at any time of year as long as you are willing to wait a year or two for them to re-flower. The advantage of hard pruning is that the shrub rejuvenates quickly. Don't go overboard; just … American Rhododendron Society: Pruning and dead-heading, PennLive: Drastic pruning of too-big rhododendrons. If you find only living tissue low to the ground I would most likely replace the plants. Drastic pruning can also be called rejuvenation pruning. Unlike many shrubs, Rhododendrons seldom require pruning, although they may benefit from an occasional maintenance trim. PRUNING RHODODENDRON TO A PROFILE. A rhododendron shrub needs extra care for the first year or two after severe pruning. They generally grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. These twigs receive little light or airflow and they crowd one another out. You can cut back woody branches into areas where no leaves or lower twigs exist. For best appearance and health, prune out weak inside limbs, any limbs that cross or rub and any dead or damaged branches. If severe, pruning is necessary, it must be realized that the plant will shift its focus in the short-run from setting flower buds to growing vigorously, and it is very likely that the Rhododendron will have few if any bloom buds during the season following the major pruning. clg897 Mar 12, 2018 10:07 AM CST. Keep the soil evenly moist but not wet or soggy. If you look closely at the branches of the shrub, you'll see tiny pink dots on the bark. lopsided or misshapen, with long, barren branches, few leaves and few flowers. have an attractive, natural shape that may lead you to believe they don't need regular pruning. This eliminates any potential for flowers that year, but gives the plant the longest growing season to develop new growth and mature before the onset of autumn frosts and freezes. Rhododendrons can be pruned at any time during the year without harming the plant, but there are times that are better for pruning. There are evergreen and deciduous forms of both. Keep the soil moist during the period after severe pruning. Some gardeners rejuvenate rhododendron shrubs by cutting back only one-third of all branches in each of three subsequent years. The larger-leafed rhododendrons have many dormant buds that can be forced into new growth. In early spring, cut off the oldest (no more than 1/3) of the branches down to the crown of the plant. Rhododendrons can also be cut back to within 6 to 8 inches of the ground if need be as in rejuvenation pruning. It isn't necessary to cut the shrub back to a stub if you can remove the problem while leaving the scaffolding branches. Severe pruning means that you cut the entire rhododendron down to the primary branches of the shrub, as low as 6 inches off the ground, if possible. The best way to develop good plants is to pinch out young buds when the plants are small as this can help develop a bushy plant. A robust rhododendron grows back in three or four years when you cut it back as much as 6 inches from the ground. have an attractive, natural shape that may lead you to believe they don't need regular pruning. Photo: Pixabay ... Plants can be pruned back severely if needed since dormant lateral buds will initiate new growth after pruning. Rejuvenation pruning, can be useful to reshape a plant. Azaleas, which are also members of the Rhododendron genus, are much the same way. First, the ideal time to do undertake rejuvenation pruning is not after flowering (that’s when you do light pruning), but rather early in the spring, before the start of the growing season. This is better than pruning right at the outline of the profile of the plant. Rhododendrons – Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing. Severe pruning is not uncommon with rhododendrons and azaleas. When catastrophe strikes and a large plant is broken or otherwise severly injured, don't despair. The final thing you want to do is to pinch or snap off the new growth back when it’s a couple of inches long. Speculate on any outside factors such as a severe drought, or a frost, or heavy fertilization, etc. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. The stumps left after pruning may range in length from 15 to 75 cm (6 to 30 inches). Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.) Therefore, the best time to prune Rhododendrons is immediately after they flower. Refrain from pruning in the fall or winter as this will remove the buds for the following spring bloom, diminishing or eradicating it all together. Generally, most rhododendrons handle moderate pruning well. Wright holds a graduate diploma in environmental horticulture from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and a Master of Science in public horticulture from the University of Delaware. Problems The best way to prune a well-established rhododendron is from the inside, working outward. Photo: properlandscaping.com. Many rhododendron species and hybrids can be severely pruned and come back as good as new. Learn how to prune Rhododendrons from renowned pruning guru Cass Turnbull, founder of PlantAmnesty. PRUNING Constant pruning of rhododendrons is not really necessary. It is when a more severe pruning is required, cutting back to a bare trunk, that results vary considerably. It’s best to space severe pruning over several years. Her home-and-garden and nature articles have appeared in "Birds & Blooms" and "Alamance Today." Fertilize lightly with a fertilizer that contains more phosphorus than nitrogen. Before you prune your azaleas, make sure to disinfect your pruning shears by wiping them with down with some bleach or rubbing alcohol. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. First, the ideal time to do undertake rejuvenation pruning is not after flowering (that’s when you do light pruning), but rather early in the spring, before the start of the growing season. Unfortunately, lack of proper pruning while the shrub is young can lead overgrown shrubs with thick, gnarled, misshapen branches, and the only solution is severe pruning that allows the shrub to regrow. Rhododendrons should be healthy before you prune. It is when a more severe pruning is required, cutting back to a bare trunk, that results vary considerably. As long as an old, leggy rhododendron is not weakened by a disease, it tolerates and responds very well to a severe pruning, more commonly called a rejuvenation pruning by horticulturists. How to Deadhead Rhododendrons … Drastic pruning such as this should be done in the winter when the plant is dormant. Severe Pruning of Rhododendron When They Are Too Big. Stagger some branches so the new growth creates a multitiered mass of leaves. Severe pruning may result in growth from below the scion, which should be removed. This is a quick method and plants don't always survive such severe pruning. Don’t prune into old wood. Rhododendron before pruning. As long as an old, leggy rhododendron is not weakened by a disease, it tolerates and responds very well to a severe pruning, more commonly called a rejuvenation pruning by horticulturists. Protect exposed plants in cold climates by driving four stakes around the shrub and wrapping burlap around the stakes to buffer the drying winds. From your photos, some longest stems appear to be bare except for a few leaves at the terminal end. Jackie Carroll has been a freelance writer since 1995. Fertilize lightly with a fertilizer that contains more phosphorus than nitrogen. Shape Pruning: Pruning for shape enhances the rhododendrons form and habit. This is a good rule of thumb for any shrub or tree that needs a severe pruning. Many rhododendron species and hybrids can be … Remove wilted flowers. This eliminates any potential for flowers that year, but gives the plant the longest growing season to develop new growth and mature before the onset of autumn frosts and freezes. Oftentimes, a rhododendron that has been neglected for years and has become so overgrown that it requires severe pruning. In the wild our native rhododendron, R. macrophyllum, often is killed back to the ground by fire, only to sprout again from the root crown and in a few years regain full vigor. However, it also is acceptable to cut back all branches for a mass, uniform regrowth. It’s also a lot easier mentally, strange as that may sound. Rejuvenation pruning is best used to restore shrubs that have become leggy, overgrown, or otherwise unattractive. As long as an old, leggy rhododendron is not weakened by a disease, it tolerates and responds very well to a severe pruning, more commonly called a rejuvenation pruning by horticulturists. Rhododendrons and azaleas offer a wide range of flower colors in the spring and have become popular landscape plants in Maryland. Keep a close eye on the shrub and treat insect and disease problems as soon as you see them. Other times risk being too early or too late. All rhododendrons and azaleas are members of the genus Rhododendron. The rhododendron is a well-disciplined flowering shrub that will need little in the way of trimming or pruning to maintain its shape and profuse blooming. Some gardeners rejuvenate rhododendron shrubs by cutting back only one-third of all branches in each of three subsequent years. Because severe pruning prevents flowering the following year, you don't have to worry about preserving the flower buds, and it's best to prune as early as possible. Pruning them too early will interfere with the budding for this season and pruning them too late will interfere with the next season. Apr 12, 2015 - Rhododendrons & Severe Pruning. A healthy plant can be cut to the ground and will usually come back. Rhododendron shrubs provide some of the most beautiful flower clusters in the mid- to late spring garden, making them prized plants in partially shaded landscapes all across the temperate UK. If you’re in doubt, don’t cut the entire shrub back. Prune your rhododendron in the summer immediately after the bloom cycle has ended. I plan on doing some rejuvenation pruning and cutting it back so it is only about 6 feet tall. Once the dormant buds on the rhododendron stumps flush out new leafy twigs, evaluate the quality of the growth and thin them out. Mulch helps keep the moisture level steady. This is the key step to developing the dense bushy plant that you are after. The easiest style of pruning is trimming off any dead or dying parts of your rhododendron with pruning shears. Step 1 - wait until the flowers die off in the spring to prune. By midsummer, cut out tight thickets of twigs atop stumps, retaining three to five of the most vigorous shoots. Step 3 - prune off live stems and branches to conform the plant into your preferred shape Rejuvenation pruning is best used to restore shrubs that have become leggy, overgrown, or otherwise unattractive. Views: 414, Replies: 9 » Jump to the end. 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