Decide how much you want to trim back your azalea, and.

May 05, If you are pruning an azalea in order to rejuvenate the plant because it’s become spindly or sparse, locate three to five of the largest branches on the azalea bush. Cut these branches back by a third to a half. Trim tree in the fall cartoon the other branches on the plant as though you’re shaping the plant. For major pruning, the best time is in early spring before the plant is ready to put out new growth, so it has the full growing season to fill out and for the new growth to mature.

When pruning azaleas to reduce height, particularly older plants, it is best to do the pruning in stages, to minimize the shock to the stumpmulching.barted Reading Time: 2 mins. Apr 20, The ASA says it’s best to prune azaleas in the early spring before new buds form. This gives the plant a full season to fill out and grow new wood.

Curtis says to also prune right after the blooms have faded, to get the best flower display for the following season. When azaleas grow too big for their surroundings, they may need to be pruned drastically.

You can cut overgrown plants down to about 1 foot in height. Then feed them with a slow-release, water-soluble fertilizer. Frequently water the plants you cut back to.

Take note that when you're picking out azaleas to plant, choosing a Kurume instead of a Southern Indian will be your best bet if you don't want to worry as much about maintenance.

Sep 10, Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) don’t usually require much pruning. Most gardeners want these graceful shrubs to retain their natural, relaxed form. But if. For yearly pruning, reach inside the shrub and cut back branches to slightly different lengths to create a cloudlike, mounding shape.

Loppers may be necessary to prune thick branches. Some azalea hybrids, such as Kurume, grow slower than Southern Indian hybrids and usually need pruning only once in 4 Estimated Reading Time: 2 mins.