How to Trim a Rhododendron Bush

Rhododendron bushes are attractive additions to any garden. They grow full bushes of blossoms in a variety of different colors. Rhododendron bushes do not typically need extensive trimming. If care is taken to provide regular pruning and shaping of a rhododendron bush, it will rarely be necessary to prune or trim drastically. By regular deadheading of spent blossoms and light trimming to shape the rhododendron bush, you should have an attractive and healthy plant.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garden shears

1. Deadhead the rhododendron bush by removing old seed heads and flowers as they wither throughout the growing season. This will help the plant focus on growing and will help the rhododendron bush stay properly shaped as well.

2. Check the shape of the rhododendron bush often as you are performing the deadheading. Trim off any branches that appear weak or crowded. These branches should be trimmed close to the main stem. Examine any stems that are not flowering and remove any leaf buds growing that will result in the bush becoming leggy or misshapen.

3. Perform more drastic pruning immediately after the rhododendron bush has flowered, if necessary.
   Trim the middle of the bush to help provide better ventilation. Clip off any diseased stems and reduce crowding. Trim any long branches that ruin the shape of the bush. When pruning these stems, prune back to the point where bunches of leaves are growing from one point.

4. Prune a very overgrown and misshapen, but healthy, rhododendron by cutting it back to the main stump. By removing all of the branches and growth coming from the main stump, the bush will be forced to begin filling out all over again, and you can shape it as it regrows.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of heavy pruning, try less severe pruning over two seasons.
• Prune heavily with care. Heavily pruned rhododendrons may take years to recover and bloom again.

References

• Pruning Rhododendron Bushes