| I HAVE A LARGE RHODODEDRON BUSH ON THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE THAT HAS LONG LIMBS WITH FEW LEAVES, BUT LOTS OF BUDS...SHOULD I BE TRIMMING BACK THE LIMBS SO MORE LEAVES WILL BE ON THE BUSH? AND WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO DO THE TRIMMING? |
| You can reduce the size of your rhododendron by pruning it back as much as one third. Rhodies develop leaf and flower buds over the summer months to open the following spring so it is too late this year to prune your shrub. Wait until after it has finished blooming next spring and then prune it back. It should develop two new shoots or branches just below your pruning cuts, which should result in a fuller shrub. If you need to prune more than one-third of the shrub to get it back under control, plan on doing it over a 2-3 year period so it isn't terribly stressed by the pruning. Best wishes with your rhododendron! |
