Q: I have planted azaleas and they have been growing for about three years and I am now wondering if I need to be pruning or doing anything special with them other the feeding them. I live am in zone 9-11. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. Posted by Michelle
A: Michelle, azaleas are one of the easiest, undemanding plants we can have in our gardens. The only reason you may need to prune them is if they outgrow their space and you "need" to cut them back. Otherwise, they have a great natural form that is best left alone. Now, should you decide to prune them for whatever reason, the best time to do that is right after they bloom in spring. Azaleas set next season's blooms on old growth. If you wait too long to cut them back in summer, you run the risk of removing next spring's display of wonder color. And if you do cut them, it's always best to not remove more than one third of the plant at a time to minimize the stress impact. Fortunately, azaleas respond well to pruning, even when it is more drastic. Finally, if you find the need to cut them back before they bloom again, late winter is a good time for that.
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