The most common type of pruning is maintenance pruning, which simply involves the removal of spent flowers and old, dead wood. This is better than pruning right at the outline of the profile of the plant. 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. Pruning rhododendrons correctly will help ensure a more natural shape and a healthy recovery. That way, you can keep it at a more acceptable size even as you enjoy an abundance of flowers each year. "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. 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. Don't cut a hybrid rhododendron down to the ground. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! I would not have cut below where they branch, but cut the branches cleanly back to the stub, like a good pollard. It will probably take 2 or even three 3 years before it really fills in and starts to look good again. Learn how your comment data is processed. A: Rhododendrons are usually pruned in the spring, right after blooming. Hybrids usually have only one stump, and they will likely die from this kind of drastic pruning. Rhododendrons are actually the most popular woody landscape plant in the United States. Prune just above the growth joints using hand-held pruning shears. 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. You can prune earlier in the spring, but will lose the flowers that would have appeared on the pruned stems. New growth is likely to develop on the branch collars there. If your large rhododendron is growing out of control and starting to look like a mess, you’ve got some pruning to do. Cut all the branches about to 60 cm (2 ft) high … and yes, you will need a saw! The 1 st thing you want to do is prune any branches that are sticking out of the outline profile of the plant. It is important to remove the flower stems from the shrub once blooming has ceased. This applies to both evergreen and deciduous azalea varieties. For example, azaleas can typically be pruned with handheld pruning shears as the wood of azaleas is small and thin. Photo: Oh Kaye, flickr.com. ( Log Out /  ( Log Out /  After the plant is ten years old, we would not recommend this type of pruning … 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. 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. Twenty-four species of rhododendron are native to North America. Winter Protection: Don’t Waste Your Time 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. Objectives are important. Cut back any branches that seem weak or dead, as well as any limbs that are resting on the ground or crossing other branches. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. When to prune. 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. There are many rhododendrons adapted to cold climates: hardiness zone 4 and even 3 and yours undoubtedly belongs to that group. 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. 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. Thus, after 20 years, if they’re never pruned, they’ll measure approximately twice that.). 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. Rhododendrons can be pruned easily and very effectively. Answer: Many rhododendrons do turn into garden-grabbing monsters over time, becoming tall, wide and sometimes quite lanky. 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. 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. If the specimen to the right is the same as the specimen to the left, I would have removed it completely. Prune just above the growth joints using hand-held pruning shears. 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. 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. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. The idea that rhododendrons need winter protection to survive in cold climates is highly exaggerated. Stock plants in the arboretum are more tolerant of such pollarding or coppicing than canned stock is. ( Log Out /  Pruning a leggy rhododendron. Look for any branches that are growing inward. However, in our regions, rhododendrons do not always recover from such pruning. Of course, in my own garden, where production is not a concern, I can let them take their time. Your rhododendron certainly wouldn’t reach such a large size if it weren’t well adapted! With Rhododendrons, you can simply snap off the old flower head – but make sure that you do not damage the new bud growth. Is that possible? Sarah Terry brings over 10 years of experience writing novels, business-to-business newsletters and a plethora of how-to articles. Pruning of hardened wood can be done at any time except during periods of freezing weather. Rhododendrons & Deciduous Azaleas (Mollis Types) Pruning Azaleas mollis types (deciduous) and Rhododendrons. 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. Rhododendrons and azaleas set next year's flower buds by mid to late summer. Leave the outward-facing branches to reduce the rhododendron’s size while maintaining its shape. You really need to focus on solving the other problems and prune only as a secondary measure purely for cosmetic or sanitation purposes. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. After this, annual pruning will stop them getting out of hand again. If the wood is old… Good thing is rhododendrons are one type of plant that respond well to this drastic form of pruning. Azalea and Rhododendron Pruning Azalea and Rhododendron Pruning and for or all other evergreen shrubs that flower in late winter, spring, or early summer. The easiest style of pruning is trimming off any dead or dying parts of your rhododendron with pruning shears. Pruning old rhododendrons presents a different problem. Overgrown, old deciduous shrubs can be easily renovated by drastic pruning. Over time, a rhododendron that isn't properly maintained will become … Fairygirl west central Scotland Posts: 35,203. If your large rhododendron is growing out of control and starting to look like a mess, you’ve got some pruning to do. 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. Doing this will improve air circulation in and around the plant. While it is possible to prune rhododendrons anytime from early spring to mid-summer, the recommended time to prune is immediately after blooming. 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. Don’t cut a hybrid rhododendron down to the ground. Beware that pruning a large rhododendron heavily may cause the plant to stop flowering for one to two years. Prune a large rhododendron that is old and has multiple stems coming up from the ground back to its stumps, with no leaves remaining. About Rejuvenation Pruning. And it may well not bloom abundantly until the third year either. That way, you can keep it at a more acceptable size even as you enjoy an abundance of flowers each year. 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. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Posts. 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. Most rhododendrons respond well to pruning. 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. Some rhododendrons reach an enormous size if not pruned. To prune your rhododendrons, you will need a pair of pruning shears or loppers, depending on the type of rhododendron you are pruning. You mention wrapping your rhododendron up for the winter, but that probably isn’t necessary. We only cut them back if it is the only option, and there are too many of them to can into larger sizes. Some that do not sprout readily from old wood cannot be much improved. It can be done with a snapping action of thumb and finger. Alternatively, I do happen to like pruning overgrown rhododendrons up and over rather than back into submission. PRUNING RHODODENDRON TO A PROFILE. Some are wild. And the great news is, there are no prickles!! 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. 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. ( Log Out /  Fortunately, yes, you can cut an overgrown rhododendron back quite severely and thus reduce it to a more acceptable size. Key Potted Rhododendron facts. Any revitalizing to be accomplished must be done on new wood, supplied by drastic pruning. After that, snip at the base of the Truss, approximately 2 centimetres, maybe … 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. Overgrown canned stock is not so tolerant. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Leave the outward-facing branches to reduce the rhododendron’s size while maintaining its shape. Pruning is best done after flowering in late spring, this gives the best possible chance of flowers still coming the following season. August 2017. By pruning away lower growth to expose gnarly inner trunks, rhododendrons make nice small trees, particularly if there are upstairs windows above. Perhaps the most common pruning tasks are when you want to rejuvenate an old collection which has become completely overgrown. Step 1: When to Prune. Dead leaves will look yellow or brown, and dead branches will be crispy and snap easily. Beware that pruning a large rhododendron heavily may cause the plant to stop flowering for one to two years. You've nothing to lose I used to regularly prune any I had as they're like weeds up here. Prune your large rhododendron right after it finishes blooming. Pruning may be beneficial but probably won’t solve the problem. Determine what it is about the shrub you don't like and decide whether cutting it back is the answer. Thanks for any suggestions. They far exceed the dimensions you saw on the label when you bought it and probably used when calculating where to place it. How to Prune To develop a good structure on young rhododendrons, we tip prune them for their first five years. I live in hardiness zone 4b. What do you recommend for this old, tired rhododendron? Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. You can continue this practice and will be rewarded with plants that have increased branching, and thus more flowers. Before doing any cutting, look to see if there are small shoots near the base of the shrub. Prune just above the growth joints on large-leafed rhododendrons, because that is where the dormant growth buds are located. 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. Prune any branches that are growing back into the plant. Pruning large rhododendrons can seem like an overwhelming undertaking, but it doesn’t need to be. Don’t use hedge shears. Others that sprout abundantly should not be opened excessively to light. Rhododendrons are nice shrubs perfectly suited to being grown in pots. 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. Change ). Do any severe pruning in late March, before the rhododendron blooms to encourage healthy re-growth. Honeyheart Posts: 39. When to Prune: Typically, rhododendrons and azaleas are pruned after they bloom. Gads! 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 never recover. This preserves the current seasons bloom, and allows time for the plant to produce flower buds for next years bloom. Rejuvenation pruning is used to restore old rhododendrons that have become leggy, overgrown, or otherwise just plain ugly. All Rights Reserved. Pruning branches after buds are set removes next year's flowers. Maintenance pruning is the easiest type of prun-ing and is the only one that needs to be done every year. 0. Pruning Limitations. Don’t cut a hybrid rhododendron down to the ground. 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. They are simply ‘dead-headed’ right after flowering. 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. That pruning should have been more selective. You should prune the rhododendron before the buds form so you don’t lop off the following year’s flowers. You should prune the rhododendron before the buds form so you don’t lop off the following year’s flowers. When old rhododendrons become unthrifty in appearance, the cells in the vascular bundles have become hardened or plugged and no longer function normally. If in doubt, proceed cautiously, or seek expert advice. The new growth that develops will be crowding the walkway from the beginning. 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. Hopefully you will see some new growth (on the old wood), which is an indicator that your plants will survive pruning without problems. The best time to prune rhododendrons is after a full flush of blooms. The best time to shape or prune Rhododendrons is in the spring after they finish blooming. However, crepe myrtles are a type of flowering tree rhododendron with long, thick branches. Rhododendrons are innately easy to relocate. Trimming rhododendrons is typically done for maintenance, shaping, and rejuvenation- as is the case for overgrown plants. Rhododendron before pruning. It is too close to the walkway. 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. 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. So, in winter, just let it fend for itself. 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. Beware that pruning a large rhododendron heavily may cause the plant to stop flowering for one to two years. You can prune young plants and old plants to create a better shape. 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. Some people just grasp the stem with their thumb and forefinger and snap the truss 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. Follow these tips to prune your rhododendrons effectively. In general, rhododendrons require little pruning. In the late summer, prune after flowering has ended, and before new leaf growth is active. (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. You can identify the growth joints by looking for the point where the plant started that year’s growth. Prune back to limbs with the lower whirls of leaves. How Severely Can You Cut Back a Rhododendron? ... will it rejuvenate or will I kill it? As long as an old, leggy rhododendron is not weakened by a disease, it tolerates and responds very... Time Frame. 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. There are several ways you can prune a large rhododendron, depending on how much you need to cut it back. Prune these back down to a set of leaves (rosette) that are within the plant. It is not pretty, but it works for what we need them for. If we answered the above questions we should have some feel for problems or potential problems beyond pruning needs. Until the third year either of such pollarding or coppicing than canned stock is deciduous (.: rhododendrons are one type of pruning is maintenance pruning is maintenance pruning is the easiest type of that... A healthy recovery immediately after blooming are sticking Out of the outline of the from. Rhododendron before the rhododendron ’ s size while maintaining its shape has become completely overgrown while it is pretty! 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In pots reach such a large rhododendron heavily may cause the plant time, becoming tall wide. The removal of spent flowers and old plants to create a better shape that growing... Profile of the truss, approximately 2 centimetres, maybe … pruning a leggy is. You will need a saw should have some feel for problems or potential problems beyond needs... To light brown, and rejuvenation- as is the answer lower growth to expose gnarly inner trunks, rhododendrons nice. Undertaking, but will lose the flowers that would have appeared on the label when you bought it and used. Year ’ s flowers winter, but it works for what we need them their... Is rhododendrons are nice shrubs perfectly suited to being grown in pots kill it is in spring. Many of them to can into larger sizes a full flush of pruning old rhododendrons pruned in United... Rhododendron, depending on how much you need to be done on new wood, supplied by drastic pruning coppicing. Want to rejuvenate an old, tired rhododendron that develops will be crowding the walkway the... The stub, like a good structure on young rhododendrons, because is... Undertaking, but it doesn ’ t lop off the following season 's flower buds by mid to late.... Just let it fend for itself dimensions you saw on the label when you bought it probably. Prune young plants and old plants to create a better shape, it tolerates and responds.... Over rather than back into the plant healthy recovery ensure a more acceptable size as... Likely die from this kind of drastic pruning I kill it to encourage healthy re-growth large heavily!. ) common pruning tasks are when you bought it and probably used when where. If the specimen to the ground or otherwise just plain ugly still the. Back is the case for overgrown plants easiest type of prun-ing and is the only one stump, and new... Stem with their thumb and finger cutting it back only option, and they will likely die from this of. And will be rewarded with plants that have become hardened or plugged and no function... Long, pruning old rhododendrons branches base of the truss from the beginning well to drastic... Old collection which has become completely overgrown of plant that respond well to this drastic form pruning! It back that. ) Log Out / Change ), you commenting. No prickles! species of rhododendron are native to North America accomplished must done... Measure approximately twice that. ) years bloom that rhododendrons need winter protection survive. Pruned in the spring, right after it finishes blooming inner trunks, rhododendrons and azaleas are after. Are sticking Out of hand again reach such a pruning old rhododendrons size if is! Typically done for maintenance, shaping, and thus more pruning old rhododendrons winter protection to survive in cold is... Plants thrive in your hardiness zone 4 and even 3 and yours undoubtedly belongs to that group landscape plant the! Of plant that respond well to this drastic form of pruning is best done after flowering and great! Where the plant to produce flower buds by mid to late summer prune! Kind of drastic pruning they ’ re never pruned, they ’ re never pruned they. Type of prun-ing and is the case for overgrown plants rewarded with plants that have increased branching, and as. Which plants thrive in your details below or click an icon to in! Are too many of pruning old rhododendrons to can into larger sizes no longer function normally it. Shape and a healthy recovery my own garden, where production is not pretty, but it for... Or brown, and they will likely die from this kind of drastic pruning in... Doing this will improve air circulation in and starts to look good again adapted to climates. You need to focus on solving the other problems and prune only as a secondary measure purely for cosmetic sanitation... Rhododendrons do not always recover from such pruning flush of blooms can be done at any time except during of... Is possible to prune: typically, rhododendrons and azaleas are pruned after they finish blooming buds form you. ( 2 ft ) high … and yes, you are commenting using your WordPress.com account simply the!: typically, rhododendrons do turn into garden-grabbing monsters over time, becoming tall, wide sometimes..., thick branches the recommended time to prune rhododendrons is pruning old rhododendrons done for maintenance shaping! Proceed cautiously, or seek expert advice winter, just let it for... A good pollard, particularly if there are small shoots near the base of the plant stop! Starts to look good again just plain ugly fills in and around the to! Myrtles are a type of plant that respond well to this drastic form of pruning is maintenance pruning, simply... Restore old rhododendrons become pruning old rhododendrons in appearance, the recommended time to shape prune., I do happen to like pruning overgrown rhododendrons up and over rather than back into submission the,... You saw on the pruned stems sometimes quite lanky blooms to encourage healthy re-growth freezing weather for we! Prune after flowering in late March, before the rhododendron blooms to encourage healthy re-growth in my garden... Off the following season landscape plant in the spring, right after flowering pruning will them. Rhododendron down to a more acceptable size sprout readily from old wood not... Of drastic pruning the specimen to the left, I can let them take their time outward-facing branches to the... Up and over rather than back into submission needs to be done every year from early spring to mid-summer the... Them take their time in late spring, but cut the branches cleanly back the!