When to Prune an Azalea Bush
Azalea blossoms beautify the landscape in the spring or early summer and are generally easy to maintain. While they don't require pruning every year, they do benefit from pruning and thinning when the middle branches no longer get enough light to thrive. They are also pruned when you want to reduce their size, shape them or rejuvenate an old shrub. There are several times that are safe to prune your azaleas, each with different benefits. Does this Spark an idea?
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Before New Growth
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Pruning azaleas before new growth in the spring gives them the most time to grow and fill out with new growth. It also gives time for that new growth to fully mature and form blooms before winter arrives. The main disadvantage to pruning at this time is that it cuts off all the blooms for that year. In subsequent years though, your bushes will be fuller and therefore bloom more flowers.
While in Bloom
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Some gardeners wait until their azaleas are in bloom to prune them. This way, they still are pruned somewhat early in the growing season, giving them time to fill out and mature before winter. The advantage to waiting until the flowers are in bloom is you can enjoy the flowers for a bit before trimming and then enjoy the cut flowers indoors in vases after pruning.
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After Blooming
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After blooming in the spring or early summer is also a common time for gardeners to prune their azaleas. They are then able to enjoy the beautiful blooms to their fullest without compromising next year's blooms. Prune as soon as possible after blooming; don't wait until summer or you risk cutting off next year's buds since azaleas start forming next year's buds soon after blooming.
Mid-summer and Fall
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Do not prune your azaleas during this time unless it's to trim off dead or diseased limbs. Pruning at this time will cut off all of next year's blooms with no advantages. Also, any new growth that occurs after pruning will not have time to mature before winter.
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References
- Photo Credit red azalea with feather image by stresskiller from Fotolia.com
