How to Trim an Azalea Bush

Pruning azaleas help them remain strong and healthy.

Azaleas are shrubs that bloom in many different colors, either in the spring or fall depending on the cultivar. Most healthy azaleas do not need frequent pruning. Sometimes azaleas grow out of control and pruning will help retain the shape you like as well as encourage new healthy growth. Be sure to prune during the right time of the year, however, or you may leave the shrub open to disease.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears
• Denatured alcohol

Instructions

1. Prune your azaleas in the early spring, usually in March, before the plant begins its growing phase.

2. Look over your azalea, taking note of any dead wood or areas that are shaded out.

3. Clean your pruners with rubbing alcohol to sterilize them before working on the azalea bush. This prevents the spread of disease to the shrub if the pruners have infectious agents on them from other trees.

4. Cut away any wood that is dead or diseased. Cut where the dead branch meets a healthy branch.

5. Trim back two or three of the tallest branches only, cutting back to the side branch. Doing only a few tall branches each year reduces the shock to the bush. Spread your pruning out over a three-year cycle.

References

• Azalea Society of America: FAQ
• American Rhododendron Society: Tips for Beginners: How To Prune Evergreen Azaleas; Tom Hughes
• Azalea Society of America: Growing Azaleas