Did you really mean to post this in the Tropicals Forum? There's an Azalea and Rhododendron forum, where you will be more likely to get advice.

Hi
Are you referring to the tropical Rhodies?? I often hear them called Vireyas??
I've tried several times to grow them with no luck Even had lowland varieties selected for my hothouse climate.
I believe there are some types native to New Zealand.??
Or maybe you are referring to the temp. rhodies as Tony from oz says??
gary

It is considered a very tender plant. Hardy to 15 degrees.
It is natural for it to be leggy.
You could cut it back immediately after flowering. Any later and you may lose next years bloom.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rhododendron 'Mi Amor'

Aloha Shirley,

If 'Mi Amor' is a vireya rhododendron it can take pruning but there is a trick to the leggy varieties. Take one or two at a time and cut back heavy. Usually to just above a node (you will see a line where the old growth came out from... cut just above). (This is just a guideline as I know of folks that cut it anywhere with no problem). Now, you need to wait until the new growth comes out... then take another stem or two and prune them. and so on....

The idea is there must be some greenery left on the plant. Most times, you will get 2 or more breaks... some varieties may give as many as 6 and then there are those that will always come back with only one. I've found the latter kind tend to become a small open growing tree...

I hope this helps. Don't be afraid to prune... It's good for the plant... just don't take it all at once.

Good luck..

'Mi Amor' is a Maddenia section hybrid, not a vireya. Since R. lindleyi is one of its parents, it has a lovely rambling almost vine-like habit. It can be used effectively draped over a wall or espaliered. We shouldn't force our pattern recognition errors on them by trying to hack them into something they're not. Not every plant with the name "rhododendron" is supposed to be a frumpy little bush. Some are towering trees and others are miniature ground covers. This one's a rambler. Shape it and tidy it, but love it for what it is.

ThankyouDick_Sonia for that information. I certainly don't want to curb its natural growth habit. I just think I may have planted it in the wrong place. Do you grow this particular Rhododendron ? Maybe I can move it although I'm loathe to upset it at all. We get cold weather but rarely frost in the particular part of the garden where it is at present - I'm thinking that I'll put in some kind of support for it to raise it up a bit and rearrange the garden around it.
I did realise that it isn't a vireya.
Shirley