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Cut back the plant to expose the inner branches.Follow the branch down to the last whorl of leaves you want to keepand cut just above those leaves, about 1/4 inch above thetopmost leaf in this cluster. Large, overgrown rhododendronscan be cut 12-15 inches from the ground whennecessary.
In this way, when can you prune rhododendrons and how?
The best time to prune rhododendrons is after afull flush of blooms. This applies to both evergreen and deciduousazalea varieties. Pruned at this time, the plant has plentyof time to develop new wood; this growth will become next year'sold growth, which will produce the spring flowers.
- Make sure that the rhododendron is in the right location. Theshrub prefers the afternoon shade.
- Check the soil for moisture.
- Scrape the branch slightly with a knife to see if there is anygreen colored layer under the bark.
- Check the rhododendron for fungus disease.
- Check if the leaves look yellow with a green vein.
Also question is, can you cut back a rhododendron in the summer?
Don't wait to prune your azaleas andrhododendrons until late summer or even later, oryou probably won't get the flowers you're looking fornext year. You can prune pretty heavily if needed toget better shape for your bushes, just know that they maynot flower for a year or more if you do so.
After flowering, deadhead where practical, topromote vegetative growth rather than seed production. Remove deadflowers from rhododendrons carefully; next year'sbuds are just under the old heads and will start to develop shortlyafter flowering.