How to Prune an Azalea to get Azalea Flowers

Azalea Flowers cover the flowering plants

Some varieties of Azalea can grow quite large in the home garden. Pruning azaleas to control growth and promote azalea flowers isn't hard. The main trick is knowing when to prune the flowering plants so they will have flowers next season.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• hand saws

Instructions

1. First learn when azaleas flower and about their growth cycle to prune these perennials properly. The large Indian azaleas are spring flowering plants, so their flowering buds form on the previous years growth. This means these azaleas cannot be pruned during the fall or winter without cutting off the flower buds that will produce azalea flowers in the spring. Pruning of Indian azaleas should be done right after the spring flowering season, as soon as the petals start to fall, before the flowering plants are finished putting on new growth. Here in southern Alabama, home gardeners have until the middle of June to prune Azaleas, but the longer the pruning is put off the hotter the weather will be. Indian azaleas include azalea varieties such as, Formosa, Pride of Mobile, George Lindley Taber, Fielders White, and Judge Solomon. The newer Encore azaleas, that now be found in plant nursery trade, bloom throughout the season so their pruning is different.

2. Decide and understand where to make the cuts when pruning Indian azaleas. Azaleas have hidden growth buds all over the stems, under the bark. This means they can be cut back to any point along the stem. If the bushes are very large with large stems, a chain saw may be needed to cut them back. For older established azalea bushes, cut them back quite a bit lower than the finished height wanted for the landscaping plants. This is because they will come back out quickly and put on lots of new growth due tho their established root systems. This new growth will be covered in flower buds for next year's flower show. Some people try to prune repeatedly throughout the summer to keep the azalea bushes in a certain shape, but by doing this they are losing blooms as the flower buds are formed only in the first flush of growth. Pruning azaleas is mainly done to control their shape and height and to also remove any dead limbs. Don't be afraid to cut older azaleas back hard if needed. The evergreen Indian Azaleas will not rebloom during the current season and should be pruned right after flowering. They will put on new growth and flower buds for next spring after being pruned.

3. Knowing the type of azalea can help when deciding how to prune them. Deciduous azaleas (those that loose their leaves in the winter) and most evergreen azaleas are both pruned the same way. Deciduous azaleas, those that are native to the southeast US., grow more upright and are more open. Many people trim deciduous azaleas into tree shaped landscaping plants. It is not necessary to paint the cuts or to worry about cutting off too much. The newer Encore Azaleas that bloom more than once over the summer can be pruned if needed, anytime after they bloom. This will mean the loss of some azalea flowers with these varieties because they are always forming them. Encore azaleas and other short varieties seldom need pruning because of their lower growing habits, but the large evergreen Indian varieties such as Formosa Azaleas can grow to be huge landscaping plants. By pruning correctly the bushes will be covered with beautiful azalea flowers next spring. Under resources below you will find links to other gardening articles. Please rate this article and any others you check out, thank you.
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Tips & Warnings

• Azaleas like acidic soil and good organic mulch over their roots. Never put lime around them.

• Azalea caterpillars can really defoliate the bushes. By pruning Azaleas back many of their egg masses will be removed.

• Chain saws are dangerous so work with them safely. Hire a professional if the bushes are too large.