How to Prune Hardy Azaleas

Azaleas provide a breathtaking display of color that will liven up any landscape. These easy to care for flowers need minimal care other than acidic soil and an occasional pruning to keep them in top shape and to promote profuse blooms.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Fertilizer
• Mulch

Instructions

1. Assess the needs of your azalea plant to determine if it needs pruning. How you prune your azalea will depend on the growth and design of your particular plant. Tall leggy plants require a different technique from over-grown plants that are so bushy that they restrict air circulation.

2. Trim tall leggy plants as soon as they are finished blooming, usually during June or July. Cut tall leggy branches back to within 1 foot from the ground to encourage new growthe. Your azalea plant will quickly begin to fill in with new shoots that will create a healthy bushy plant.

3. Prune over-grown plants by selectively cutting out old branches and allow new young shoots to take over. Follow the branch back until you find the point where it joins another branch and snip it close to the stem. Remove any dead or decaying branches by cutting them back to the base of the plant. Snip ends of branches that have grown away from the original shape of the plant. Remove suckers at the base of the plant to prevent too many branches.

4. Pinch the terminal ends of branches on sparse or spindly azalea plants to encourage the plant to send out side shoots and fill in. Continue to pinch new growth until August. At this point, your azalea will be busy preparing for next year's blooms and should not be pruned or pinched back during the rest of the growing season.

5. Rejuvenate an aging azalea plant by pruning it over a three-year period. Begin by cutting 1/3 of the old branches back to the soil level. Repeat cutting away 1/3 of the old branches for the next two years. At the end of the third season, your old plant will have been replaced by new healthy growth.

6. Mulch with 2 inches of an acidic mulch like pine straw to retain moisture during hot dry spells and to protect them from the harsh winter weather.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply fertilizer designed for azaleas in early spring to encourage blooms and vigorous growth.