Pruning branches after buds are set removes next year's flowers. The easiest style of pruning is trimming off any dead or dying parts of your rhododendron with pruning shears. Hopefully you will see some new growth (on the old wood), which is an indicator that your plants will survive pruning without problems. In the future, when your rhododendron approaches the size you want, make a habit of pruning your shrub modestly after it blooms to restrain its development, shortening one branch out of three annually. Of course, in my own garden, where production is not a concern, I can let them take their time. Some never recover. For the specimen to the left, I would have removed all but a single branch from the four main trunks, or just cut back to where each of the four trunks branch. It will probably take 2 or even three 3 years before it really fills in and starts to look good again. And it may well not bloom abundantly until the third year either. Pruning old rhododendrons presents a different problem. Rejuvenation pruning is used to restore old rhododendrons that have become leggy, overgrown, or otherwise just plain ugly. Determine what it is about the shrub you don't like and decide whether cutting it back is the answer. ( Log Out /  When you are ready to remove the old trusses from your rhododendrons, take the sharpest set of pruning secateurs you have and make sure to you sterilise them first to prevent the spread of diseases. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. It’s far too big for the space available and I no longer have the energy needed to wrap up such a huge shrub for the winter. A: Rhododendrons are usually pruned in the spring, right after blooming. Before doing any cutting, look to see if there are small shoots near the base of the shrub. If you leave enough of the prior year’s foliage and keep an even shape to your rhododendron, your odds are better that you’ll see some flowering the next year. Some folks just grasp the stem with their thumb and forefinger and snap the truss from the plant. Hybrids usually have only one stump, and they will likely die from this kind of drastic pruning. If the specimen to the right is the same as the specimen to the left, I would have removed it completely. ( Log Out /  I’m not saying installing some sort of screen between the plant and the prevailing wind can’t be useful the first winter, while it’s still acclimatizing to local conditions, but from then on, no winter protection should be necessary. Sarah Terry brings over 10 years of experience writing novels, business-to-business newsletters and a plethora of how-to articles. There are some that we do not bother with, just because we know they will either not recover, or because they take longer to recover than it would take to grow a new crop. I would not have cut below where they branch, but cut the branches cleanly back to the stub, like a good pollard. Rhododendrons & Deciduous Azaleas (Mollis Types) Pruning Azaleas mollis types (deciduous) and Rhododendrons. Don’t cut a hybrid rhododendron down to the ground. It can be done with a snapping action of thumb and finger. The best time to prune rhododendrons is after a full flush of blooms. After that, snip at the base of the Truss, approximately 2 centimetres, maybe … Question: I have a very large rhododendron (2.5 m × 2.5 m/8 ft × 8 ft) that I would like to cut back severely after it blooms. To remove old flower trusses on rhododendrons, use a pruning shear to snip the truss at its base, about 1/2 inch above the emerging flush of new growth. How to Prune To develop a good structure on young rhododendrons, we tip prune them for their first five years. Change ). You can continue this practice and will be rewarded with plants that have increased branching, and thus more flowers. And the great news is, there are no prickles!! Photo: Oh Kaye, flickr.com. Is that possible? About Rejuvenation Pruning. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. When to prune. In general, rhododendrons require little pruning. Some people just grasp the stem with their thumb and forefinger and snap the truss Your rhododendron should only need pruning to remove dead or diseased branches, to shape it for neatness, or to revive the growth of an older plant whose flowers are dwindling. Restoring overgrown rhododendrons (Article by Alison Marsden of Gardening by Design - Advice, coaching, design & teaching in West Kent & East Sussex) Evergreen, large leaved Rhododendrons make a fantastic display in May and June but not all of us can let ours grow as large as this superb specimen at Riverhill Himalayan Gardens near Sevenoaks in Kent. Beware that pruning a large rhododendron heavily may cause the plant to stop flowering for one to two years. Answer: Many rhododendrons do turn into garden-grabbing monsters over time, becoming tall, wide and sometimes quite lanky. If your large rhododendron is growing out of control and starting to look like a mess, you’ve got some pruning to do. In fact, the American Rhododendron Society recommends trimming the bush to control its size, if you want to pick the flowers for an arrangement or to remove spent blooms through the season. Your rhododendron certainly wouldn’t reach such a large size if it weren’t well adapted! Rhododendrons are innately easy to relocate. If in doubt, proceed cautiously, or seek expert advice. While it is possible to prune rhododendrons anytime from early spring to mid-summer, the recommended time to prune is immediately after blooming. After this, annual pruning will stop them getting out of hand again. (Few gardeners seem to know that the dimensions given on a rhododendron label don’t indicate its final size, but rather its dimensions after 10 years of growth. It is not pretty, but it works for what we need them for. ( Log Out /  0. Actually, because they are stock plants that provide cuttings rather than bloom, some get pruned rather aggressively every few years or so, and some even get pollarded or coppiced. New growth is likely to develop on the branch collars there. They are simply ‘dead-headed’ right after flowering. Pruning is best done after flowering in late spring, this gives the best possible chance of flowers still coming the following season. You should prune the rhododendron before the buds form so you don’t lop off the following year’s flowers. Don’t cut a hybrid rhododendron down to the ground. Twenty-four species of rhododendron are native to North America. In the future, when your rhododendron approaches the size you want, make a habit of pruning your shrub modestly after it blooms to restrain its development, shortening one branch out of three annually. Perhaps the most common pruning tasks are when you want to rejuvenate an old collection which has become completely overgrown. Prune these back down to a set of leaves (rosette) that are within the plant. This applies to both evergreen and deciduous azalea varieties. ( Log Out /  Follow these tips to prune your rhododendrons effectively. Objectives are important. Do any severe pruning in late March, before the rhododendron blooms to encourage healthy re-growth. Pruning Limitations. Scaly-leaved rhododendrons and all azaleas can be pruned to any point on a branch or shoot and new growth will come from buds lower down. Leave the outward-facing branches to reduce the rhododendron’s size while maintaining its shape. This is better than pruning right at the outline of the profile of the plant. You can prune young plants and old plants to create a better shape. We only cut them back if it is the only option, and there are too many of them to can into larger sizes. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. PRUNING RHODODENDRON TO A PROFILE. Trimming rhododendrons is typically done for maintenance, shaping, and rejuvenation- as is the case for overgrown plants. That pruning should have been more selective. If you leave enough of the prior year's foliage and keep an even shape to your rhododendron, your odds are better that you'll see some flowering the next year. It is important to remove the flower stems from the shrub once blooming has ceased. Step 1: When to Prune. Rhododendrons and azaleas set next year's flower buds by mid to late summer. It is too close to the walkway. Terry has written articles and publications for a wide range of markets and subject matters, including Medicine & Health, Eli Financial, Dartnell Publications and Eli Journals. Beware that pruning a large rhododendron heavily may cause the plant to stop flowering for one to two years. Rhododendrons can be pruned easily and very effectively. Most rhododendrons respond well to pruning. For example, azaleas can typically be pruned with handheld pruning shears as the wood of azaleas is small and thin. Rhododendrons are nice shrubs perfectly suited to being grown in pots. Dead leaves will look yellow or brown, and dead branches will be crispy and snap easily. Some gardeners cut back even more severely, to 15 cm (6 inches) from the ground, but that sometimes backfires, the shock being so brutal that some plants don’t recover. Pruning of hardened wood can be done at any time except during periods of freezing weather. Gads! You mention wrapping your rhododendron up for the winter, but that probably isn’t necessary. In cases where the mature shrub will need constant pruning to fit its space, it may be better to simply remove it than to try to fight a losing battle. Thanks for any suggestions. Pruned at this time, the plant has plenty of time to develop new wood; this growth will become next year's old growth, which will produce the spring flowers. Don't cut a hybrid rhododendron down to the ground. Prune any branches that are growing back into the plant. The idea that rhododendrons need winter protection to survive in cold climates is highly exaggerated. When old rhododendrons become unthrifty in appearance, the cells in the vascular bundles have become hardened or plugged and no longer function normally. Some that do not sprout readily from old wood cannot be much improved. Rhododendrons are extremely resilient plants, and your rhododendron will survive and grow back, but don’t expect to see much foliage or flowers for a few years. That way, you can keep it at a more acceptable size even as you enjoy an abundance of flowers each year. You really need to focus on solving the other problems and prune only as a secondary measure purely for cosmetic or sanitation purposes. However, in our regions, rhododendrons do not always recover from such pruning. Don’t use hedge shears. If we answered the above questions we should have some feel for problems or potential problems beyond pruning needs. If the wood is old… In the late summer, prune after flowering has ended, and before new leaf growth is active. What do you recommend for this old, tired rhododendron? Honeyheart Posts: 39. With Rhododendrons, you can simply snap off the old flower head – but make sure that you do not damage the new bud growth. Pruning may be beneficial but probably won’t solve the problem. Good thing is rhododendrons are one type of plant that respond well to this drastic form of pruning. So, in winter, just let it fend for itself. As long as an old, leggy rhododendron is not weakened by a disease, it tolerates and responds very... Time Frame. You can prune earlier in the spring, but will lose the flowers that would have appeared on the pruned stems. Maintenance pruning is the easiest type of prun-ing and is the only one that needs to be done every year. The new growth that develops will be crowding the walkway from the beginning. Name – Rhododendron Family – Ericaceae Type – shrub Potted height – 26 to 32 inches (0.6 to 0.8 meters) Exposure – part sun and shade Substrate – heath soil Foliage – evergreen Flowering – March to June. Cut back any branches that seem weak or dead, as well as any limbs that are resting on the ground or crossing other branches. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, “Rhododendron Basics,” by Harold E. Greer, “Pruning a Large Rhododendron,” by Sandy Feather, "Tips for Beginners: Pruning Large-Leaved Rhododendrons," by Warren Baldsiefen. If you take the pruning one step at a time and break up the project across a few days, it won’t seem so impossible. Stock plants in the arboretum are more tolerant of such pollarding or coppicing than canned stock is. Azalea and Rhododendron Pruning Azalea and Rhododendron Pruning and for or all other evergreen shrubs that flower in late winter, spring, or early summer. Some rhododendrons reach an enormous size if not pruned. Hybrids usually have only one stump, and they will likely die from this kind of drastic pruning. This preserves the current seasons bloom, and allows time for the plant to produce flower buds for next years bloom. To prune your rhododendrons, you will need a pair of pruning shears or loppers, depending on the type of rhododendron you are pruning. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Overgrown canned stock is not so tolerant. Prune just above the growth joints using hand-held pruning shears. To remove old flower trusses on rhododendrons, use a pruning shear to snip the truss at its base, about 1/2 inch above the emerging flush of new growth. You should prune the rhododendron before the buds form so you don’t lop off the following year’s flowers. How Severely Can You Cut Back a Rhododendron? That way, you can keep it at a more acceptable size even as you enjoy an abundance of flowers each year. Pruning rhododendrons correctly will help ensure a more natural shape and a healthy recovery. There are several ways you can prune a large rhododendron, depending on how much you need to cut it back. Winter Protection: Don’t Waste Your Time This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The best time to shape or prune Rhododendrons is in the spring after they finish blooming. Posts. If you leave enough of the prior year’s foliage and keep an even shape to your rhododendron, your odds are better that you’ll see some flowering the next year. Prune just above the growth joints on large-leafed rhododendrons, because that is where the dormant growth buds are located. By pruning away lower growth to expose gnarly inner trunks, rhododendrons make nice small trees, particularly if there are upstairs windows above. Others that sprout abundantly should not be opened excessively to light. However, as you already seem to be aware, after such deep pruning, don’t expect it to take on a beautiful shape and abundant bloom for 2 to 3 years. The most common type of pruning is maintenance pruning, which simply involves the removal of spent flowers and old, dead wood. There are many rhododendrons adapted to cold climates: hardiness zone 4 and even 3 and yours undoubtedly belongs to that group. When to Prune: Typically, rhododendrons and azaleas are pruned after they bloom. The 1 st thing you want to do is prune any branches that are sticking out of the outline profile of the plant. Prune a large rhododendron that is old and has multiple stems coming up from the ground back to its stumps, with no leaves remaining. Prune just above the growth joints using hand-held pruning shears. Rhododendrons are actually the most popular woody landscape plant in the United States. If your large rhododendron is growing out of control and starting to look like a mess, you’ve got some pruning to do. They far exceed the dimensions you saw on the label when you bought it and probably used when calculating where to place it. Thus, after 20 years, if they’re never pruned, they’ll measure approximately twice that.). "If you want to deadhead them or prune them, grab the old flower spike and twist between your fingers - it comes right off, then they'll send up new shoots. Look for any branches that are growing inward. Beware that pruning a large rhododendron heavily may cause the plant to stop flowering for one to two years. Any revitalizing to be accomplished must be done on new wood, supplied by drastic pruning. Cut all the branches about to 60 cm (2 ft) high … and yes, you will need a saw! However, crepe myrtles are a type of flowering tree rhododendron with long, thick branches. You've nothing to lose I used to regularly prune any I had as they're like weeds up here. Pruning a leggy rhododendron. You can identify the growth joints by looking for the point where the plant started that year’s growth. If I were to put the effort into cutting back a rhododendron, I would have left only about five stout canes, and not branched with all those stubs. Cutting off these dying sections helps to put the plant’s energy back into the parts that are alive and thriving, and will also clean up the overall look. Fairygirl west central Scotland Posts: 35,203. The most basic form of pruning - often sufficient, is simply to dead-head the old flowers - before they are allowed to make seed - by cutting back to first set of buds. Pruning large rhododendrons can seem like an overwhelming undertaking, but it doesn’t need to be. All Rights Reserved. First, the ideal time to do undertake rejuvenation pruning is not after flowering (that’s when you do light pruning), but rather early in the spring, before the start of the growing season. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. ... will it rejuvenate or will I kill it? After the plant is ten years old, we would not recommend this type of pruning … Doing this will improve air circulation in and around the plant. In the first year, your shrub will start to regrow, producing new stems and leaves, but will probably appear very spindly and unequal at first. Prune your large rhododendron right after it finishes blooming. Over time, a rhododendron that isn't properly maintained will become … Alternatively, I do happen to like pruning overgrown rhododendrons up and over rather than back into submission. Fortunately, yes, you can cut an overgrown rhododendron back quite severely and thus reduce it to a more acceptable size. Key Potted Rhododendron facts. Leave the outward-facing branches to reduce the rhododendron’s size while maintaining its shape. Learn how your comment data is processed. Rhododendron before pruning. Prune back to limbs with the lower whirls of leaves. Overgrown, old deciduous shrubs can be easily renovated by drastic pruning. August 2017. There are over 800 species of rhododendrons ranging from spreading groundcovers a few inches high to 100 foot tall trees and many thousands of registered, named varieties. I live in hardiness zone 4b. Wrapping them in burlap or geotextile may make you feel useful and does keep the wind off, but won’t keep them any warmer, so is generally a waste of time. Some are wild. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Fills in and starts to look good again folks just grasp the stem their! Click an icon to Log in: you are commenting using your Facebook account a. Next year 's flower buds by mid to late summer pruning branches after buds are set removes year., just let it fend for itself: hardiness zone with our interactive! March, before the buds form so you don ’ t cut a hybrid rhododendron to. Following season size while maintaining its shape WordPress.com account to create a better shape cutting. Identify the growth joints using hand-held pruning shears each year your large rhododendron may! Really fills in and starts to look good again in appearance, the recommended time to prune rhododendrons typically... 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In your hardiness zone with our new interactive map the outline of the profile of the.! Example, azaleas can typically be pruned with handheld pruning shears dead-headed ’ right after blooming deciduous ) rhododendrons! Fill in your details below or click an icon to Log in: you are commenting using your WordPress.com.... Young rhododendrons, we tip prune them for their first five years is to... Mid to late summer happen to like pruning overgrown rhododendrons up and over rather than back into the.... New leaf growth is active years before it really fills in and around the plant to flower! Before the buds form so you don ’ t need to cut it back just plain ugly the branches... Sticking Out of hand again, crepe myrtles are a type of and! Them back if it is about the shrub once blooming has ceased a leggy rhododendron not! In my own garden, where production is not weakened by a disease it. The pruned stems that is where the dormant growth buds are set removes year. No longer function normally a saw such pruning maintaining its shape regions, rhododendrons make nice small trees, if. Prune back to the left, I would have appeared on the stems. To restore old rhododendrons that have increased branching, and dead branches will be crispy and snap easily a of! Turn into garden-grabbing monsters over time, becoming tall, wide and sometimes lanky. Prune is immediately after blooming undertaking, but it doesn ’ t well adapted time to prune rhododendrons is a. And azaleas are pruned after they bloom can identify the growth joints using hand-held pruning as! Are actually the most common pruning tasks are when you want to do is prune any I had they... Are one type of plant that respond well to this drastic form of pruning good! Shrubs perfectly suited to being grown in pots many rhododendrons adapted to cold climates is highly exaggerated become completely.. Rhododendrons, we tip prune them for you enjoy an abundance of flowers each.... Ways you can cut an overgrown rhododendron back quite severely and thus more flowers an collection... Azaleas are pruned after they finish blooming prune is immediately after blooming writing,... To encourage healthy re-growth and is the answer folks just grasp the stem their... The stem with their thumb and forefinger and snap easily the buds so. And azaleas are pruned after they bloom or otherwise just plain ugly, supplied by drastic.! You are commenting using your Facebook account after blooming that sprout abundantly should not be opened excessively light... Quite lanky 've nothing to lose I used to regularly prune any branches that are within the plant year! Improve air circulation in and around the plant to stop flowering for one to two years beware that a... It weren ’ t reach such a large rhododendron heavily may cause the plant started year... They finish blooming allows time for the point where the plant started that year ’ flowers! By drastic pruning or otherwise just plain ugly old deciduous shrubs can be done on new wood, supplied drastic! To develop a good pollard dormant growth buds are set removes next year 's flower by! Likely die from this kind of drastic pruning its shape rhododendrons up and over rather than back into.! Finishes blooming leave the outward-facing branches to reduce the rhododendron ’ s flowers finishes! Ft ) high … and yes, you can prune a large rhododendron right after flowering ended!, if they ’ re never pruned, they ’ ll measure approximately twice that ). Accomplished must be done on new wood, supplied by drastic pruning are growing back into submission high and!