Pruning Azalea's?

Question

My Azalea bushes are starting to stick out in my drive way. Is it ok to trim them back in the heat of this summer or will that damage them?

Answer 1

Don't prune in the summer or later because you will be cutting off next year's bloom & you run the risk of the new growth being killed in cold climates.

If you prune azaleas in early spring, before the plant puts out new growth you'll be cutting off that year's blooms, but it gives the plant the full growing season to fill out, and time for the new growth to mature before winter.

Many people like to prune while they are in bloom because it gives them some cut flowers.
Pruning just after they bloom will let you enjoy the flowers on the plant & gives the plants enough time to establish blooms for the next year.

Good luck! Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I grow 75,000 azaleas each year. You can prune your azaleas now (August 17) but you will cut off most of next year's blooms. Try to prune azaleas after they bloom since next season's buds are set by August. You don't say where you are or what variety of azalea you have. You DO NOT want to prune in late fall if your area is subject to hard freezes in the winter. The soft new growth that starts from late fall pruning will not have time to mature and will be killed by freezing temps. Good Luck.

Answer 3

Sure, you can prune them now, but you will effectively remove next season's blooms from those parts. Azaleas should be pruned after finished blooming, before they set the following year's buds.

Answer 4

Dont ever trim in the heat or cold. Prune in the fall or early spring. This cuts the shock out of it.