Old rhody and azalea

darren636

Hi all,

I have an old rhododendron and azalea situated side by side, they are old , neglected and threadbare at the base.

I've successfully brought a deciduous azalea back to health and its now in full bloom with lovely scent.

The  evergreen rhody and azalea I want to tackle next are much taller, yet have lots of bare wood from ground level to about half way up the plant.

Basically, I'm concerned that I'll kill them if I prune hard.

Any advice / encouragement welcome !

darren636

Hi Verdun

Indeed, any half measures , I feel will result in either bare wood which won't  regrow or a continued fudge of the situation.

Fairygirl

I'd agree totally. If they're old and unsightly, you've nothing to lose anyway. it could well be the making of them.

For some reason, people are frightened to prune rhodies and azaleas, or think it's an unwise move.  I was taken to task by a few people here when I said you could prune them back no problem.  

The one near my front door would be blocking every inch of light in my lounge if I didn't prune it back quite hard every year. 

plant pauper

Should that be done after flowering or later in the year? I have one in full bloom at the minute which is looking a bit gangly.

Fairygirl

My powers are limitless Verd. It's very true....

poggio1809

I have some small new azaleas. All have flowered well, but I don't know what to do next. Some say prune as hard as you like, some say prune delicately and others say that if they are evergreen which they are, don't prune at all. Which to believe?

Fairygirl

Is it a Japanese azalea? They're slow growing and never really need pruned.
If it's small, it would be left to grow on anyway. What size are they? Do you have a photo?
Evergreen rhodos can certainly be pruned, and so can the deciduous azaleas. It would depend what you have as to what you do.