When to trim azaelas? What time of year.?

Question

Mine are blooming ok during spring but not like the neighbors. I was told o cut them back a little but what time of year?

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

Cut them back right after they bloom, if you must cut them at all. Don't trim them now because they have probably already set blooms for next Spring. If they are not blooming much maybe they need fertilizer made for acid loving plants.

Answer 3

I have always heard that Azaleas should be pruned in the spring right after blooming but one year my husband pruned ours back in the fall because he didn't know any better. We had more blooms the next spring than we've ever had.

I still prune mine in the spring.

Answer 4

We usually trim ours every year like around summer after they bloom. They are always wonderful and grow too wild sometimes.