How to Prune Azalea Bushes

Pruning azaleas over successive years should result in an attractive shrub.

Azaleas are flowering shrubs that belong to the genus Rhododendron. There are two different subspecies -- Pentanthera, the deciduous varieties, and Tsutsuji, their evergreen cousins. Both can be grown in the garden, either in pots or in flower beds. Azaleas are hardy plants that can thrive in areas of comparatively little sunshine. They flower briefly in spring, with their flowers wilting after just a few weeks. To get the most out of an azalea plant, it is advisable to prune it each year.

Things You'll Need

• Plant cutters
• Sterilizing solution, such as denatured alcohol

Instructions

1. Prune the azalea shrub just after it has finished flowering in early spring. You can prune back some of the current year's flowers as they begin to wilt. This allows the plant a complete growing season to mature before winter arrives. Prune in dry weather to help prevent the spread of diseases.

2. Dip your cutters into the sterilizing solution. Repeat this step after each branch has been removed, which ensures that if any part of the plant has a disease, it is not spread to other areas.

3. Remove any dead branches first. These will not regrow and removing them first may determine how you prune the living parts of the plant to get the best shape.

4. Prune the tallest branches. This ensures a better shape to the plant and allows younger branches to flourish and new growth to begin at the base.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid using shears on your azalea shrub. Shearing tends to result in unsightly, twiggy growth.

References

• Azalea Society of America: Pruning Azaleas
• The United States National Arboretum: Azalea Questions and Answers