How far back do you want to cut my azaleas?

What shrub erupts into beautiful blooms for a few weeks in the spring, then turns into a boring shrub?That is the azalea.Being from the south, I have an affinity for this plant.

They can be hard to love when they are still holding onto brown flowers after they have bloomed.Not to mention that many older homes, including ours, have yards full of these plants.

Knowing when to cut back azaleas is important.Many plants and shrubs have the same answer.The best time to trim azaleas is immediately after bloom.

The gardener can get the dead blooms off of the plant by cutting it back right after it blooms.There is a chance that you could remove the blooms next year if you wait and fertilize the azalea later in the year.

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What about the old azalea shrubs?The shape of older azaleas is problematic.Without bare spots and noticeable holes, they are hard to shape up.It's a problem that I can see the side of the house through the plant.Years of trimming and shaping have left leaves just on the ends of branches.

If you don't know how to trim azaleas, you can shape them up.But what if your plant needs a complete change?

Azaleas don't need to be cut back every year.There is a full post on why and how to Prune Hydrangeas.Is it possible that my plants could benefit from being completely cut down?Basil isPruning works for many plants.Find out how to care for your herbs.

We pulled up five or six azaleas over the past few years and I wondered if it was possible to bring new life to the older plants.I knew they were healthy because they bloomed every year.

I chose a bed on the side of our house because I wanted to see if I could grow back better.On the side of the house, fewer people would witness my shrub slaughter and potential gardening disaster.

The process was very complex.I used a good hand saw toPruning azaleas back to four or five inches from the ground

The ease of cleaning up any vines and weeds around the shrub is the bonus of cutting any plant back this far.The cut sides of the azaleas are still healthy.There is no dead wood here.

It may take some time for your azaleas to grow back.I cut these azaleas a year ago.Just weeks after cutting back, you will begin to see new growth.

If your azaleas have a lot of new growth coming in, then it's probably time for a lightPruning.I shaped the new growth on my azaleas.I have three very vibrant azaleas in place of the overgrown mess that was there before.

Any limbs that extend beyond the shape of the bush should be trimmed with a pair of hand pruners.After trimming a bit, I take a step back to make sure the bush is the way I want it to be.

The shrub will be the shape you want without the limbs sticking out.This process can be repeated later in the year, but be careful not to cut off any buds.

The azaleas are quite old.It didn't cost me a thing to have plants growing in our yard.Our neighbors are happy they have grown back.

They had given up on seeing a nice looking bed on our side of the house.I will dig up some azaleas for some variety in our yard, but overall, I am very pleased that these grew back so healthy and full.

I would love to know if you have been successful in giving azaleas and other shrubs a new lease on life.Happy gardening!

Do you not know how to care for the plants, bushes, and herbs in your garden?Pruning guides can be used for great information and instructions.

You can learn how to care for your tomato plants.Pruning tomatoes will yield a larger and more consistent harvest.

If you want to grow large, full basil plants, give them a quick prune once or twice a summer.You will have a large basil plant as a result.

Pruning blueberry bushes in the winter will give you a manageable sized bushes as well as a more consistent crop come summer.

If you want to manage the size of the bush and for a healthier plant, you should learn how to peck the bushes after they bloom.

Do you have fruit trees in your garden?Prune fruit trees for maintaining a small size and for the best fruit production.

Pruning away last years wood and old blooms will get those hydrangeas full of big blooms.If your hydrangea needs a trim, be sure to read on and figure it out.

One of the tallest herbs to grow in the vegetable garden is dill, and a simplePruning can keep it size in check.

Thank you for the information, but I was late to comment.I planted 3 of them.They will grow to be 3ft x 3 ft.I don't think these will grow tall or wide.I cut back on the plants.I cut them down to the stump.I left a few branches above the stump.One is growing well but the other needs to be cut down.I left more branches on the South side to shade me from the sun.I will cut that one more.Happy gardening and great information.

Thank you so much!We've had the same experience as you with rhododendrons, they can handle some heavy duty pruning.Have a great week!

I'm late to this post, but what about encore azaleas?We planted some last year and would like some advice on how to care for them.TIA.

Hi Kathy!The encore azaleas would be trimmed the same way after they bloom.If you don't cut them back down to the ground, then shape them up after they bloom.Hope this helps!

I think I have some azaleas in the front yard of the house we just bought.They are cut down so badly that it's hard to tell if they are still alive.They are in the shade of a large live oak.Is it possible to bring them back to life?How should I remove the dead portions?

Hey!It is possible to get them back to life.Pruning shears or a small hand saw can be used to remove dead limbs.The azalea should start to leaf out again if the limbs are still alive.The understory of large trees is where azaleas like to live.They should come back better than before.Thank you for stopping by!

I used to have a 4 ft wall of azaleas in our yard, but we hacked them all down to the ground to make room for some plant diversity.I now have flowers and azaleas.I trim them to make sure they are the right size.The more I cut them back the more blooms I get.!

Yes!You weren't afraid to cut them back.I live in a place where the azaleas are flowering.Your azaleas are doing well!