How to Prune an Azalea Bush
Azalea bushes are beautiful when they are in full blossom, and like any other flowering bush, can benefit from being pruned. There is a special way to prune azaleas, though, because if done the wrong way, the bush can be temporarily damaged and not produce any blossoms for several years. Providing it is already growing well after being planted, meaning that it is in a slightly shady spot where the soil is acidic, it should not be too difficult to start pruning once their blossoming season ends.
At the start of the new growing season, you can pinch the leaf buds before the flowers come out to promote better leaf growth. This gets done only once a year to the azalea bush. The flowers of the azalea start to die off between July and August. This is the time to prune the bush before it becomes dormant for the winter. With a pair of garden cutters, start removing the ends of the branches where the flowers were. Those long tendrils where the flowers were should be removed first. Then remove any dead branches and branches that have been broken to allow for new growth the following spring season. Branches where flowers have been cut for inside use can also be removed, but not in their entirety. Simply trim back the dead part of the branches. You can shape the bush as you prune, into a round shape, or more box shaped, especially if you prefer the look of a European garden. Preferably, 1/3 of the bush can be trimmed away after each growing season as the branches grow quickly with new flowers each year. Soon after the bush is trimmed, water it, as the azalea likes to be kept moist even after the blossoming season. The leaves will fall off during the autumn season and grow back in the spring.
Avoid pruning branches by the roots. The roots of the azalea are delicate and can be easily damaged if the garden cutters come too close to the roots. Lastly, pruning is recommended only for mature azalea bushes. Young bushes should be allowed to reach their full maturity and will not require pruning unless the plant becomes damaged from heavy snow or ice storms from the winter season. You can protect the bushes during the winter months from damage by creating a windbreak with a small piece of fence made from wood, then stick it into the ground around your azalea bush to keep it from getting crushed during harsh weather conditions.
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