Proper Pruning Methods For Rhododendrons

Proper pruning of Rhododendronsand clipping it clean at that point, thus lowering
Today I would like to cover the proper procedurethat particular point, and continued throughout the
for pruning Rhododendrons. June, right afterplant until it is lowered in size and shaped properly.
blooming time, is the perfect time to prune andGrooming Rhododendrons with hedge sheers will
dead head Rhododendronsnot only cause the plant to become unsightly, but
I have to say, that one of my biggest petwill remove most of the next years flower buds.
peeves is observing general landscapers andThis you obviously don't want. I am often times
home owners attempting to control the growthasked "Why don't my rhododendrons bloom each
of rhododendrons.year". well this is the primary reason.
Commonly I see landscapers and home ownersRhododendrons are one of my favorite plants in
drag out their hedge trimmers and yards ofthe landscape and if grown and maintained
extension chords and ladders to take on the overproperly will reward you with some of the most
grown plants that seem to grow to heights thatbeautiful display of flowering one could ever
hide windows and otherwise have out grown theirimagine each spring.
respective place in the landscape.Keep in mind that broken branches, faded
From the on start, the plant should probably notflowers, and high points are what you should look
have been planted where it is, or another varietyfor each year right after blooming has completed
of lower growth should have been substituted inits display of color for the season.
the first place.Dead heading is another important factor to
Never the less, I'm not here to speak of properhealthy and a thriving plant.
plant selection, though important, but instead howDead heading is quite easy to do, by locating the
to manage a plant that has grown to heightsfaded flower and grasping it where it connects to
undesirable.the branch, taking a firm hold between the thumb
Usually when people hire a general landscaper toand the forefinger and snapping it clean to
trim shrubs and hedges, they rely upon localremove it. Be extra careful not to remove the
advertisements to find someone, they believe willtwo little axillary buds along side of the faded
do the proper job in trimming and cleanupbloom as this is the new growth for this season,
afterward, however what I usually see isand which will form flower buds for next year.
someone who sets to trimming using theConsidering the task at hand, it is well worth
common electric hedge trimmers and off they gopruning Rhododendrons to mange height as well
to general grooming of all plants, sheering andas allowing the plant a chance of survival.
planing to a smooth butterball shape.Rhododendrons are some of the finest of over
This my friends is not the proper way to go6,000 species in existence throughout the world.
about pruning.Common to the Himalaya's these plants are
Some plants require grooming, such as yews,astounding specimens in the landscape and
boxwood, little leaf holly and common privet,accentuate all other plants growing within their
however plants such as rhododendron, azalea, andgardens. Please take time to consider the
lilacs, require a different approach to properimportance of proper pruning and don't rely upon
pruning, which I call selective pruning.general landscapers to do the job for you. Seek
Selective pruning entails selecting the high pointsout a true professional horticulturist to do the job
of a plants growth and removing it to bring theor at least oversee the job in progress. You will
plant back into a manageable shape or form.be much happier with the results. I am including
Rhododendrons and Azaleas in particular should besome photos as examples of proper techniques
pruned by locating the highest branches andto use when pruning... Happy gardening..
following the branch to is origin within the plant