First, I'd get rid of all the rocks around it. They are not helping it out at all. I'd also get rid of any basal stubs as well.

You could take a fewer of the longer stems back but I doubt any pruning is really going to improve the appearance of this azalea.......it just needs more desirable growing conditions.

I can't get rid of all the rocks, because then the area would look even worse. I can, however, remove some of the closest rocks. I will also remove the stubs.

Then relocate the plant to a more suitable location. It is being cooked out there in full sun and with all that reflected heat. It's a wonder it is even still alive.

It's been growing there since 1962. I doubt relocating it would even be possible. Some of those stubs are 4 inches thick. I could propagate a cutting.

when was the rock put in??

any idea of the impact of the rock on the soil ... as in.. is that a limestone nightmare affecting soil ...??

did it ever thrive.. and if so.. what changed since then ..

whats behind it.. a pool??? ... could chlorinated water be inundating it??? .. did they change the pool from a chlorine system.. to a salt system ...

they are part of the rhodie family .... and all tend toward enjoying shade in the heat of the day ...

ken

Rock was put in when pool was built, 1962, as long with the shrub. It certainly did thrive at one point, it grew through the pool fence, about 2x the size it is now. The pool is chlorine now, and has always been. It isn't exposed to enough chlorinated water to make a difference.

Old growth = 200 years old.

"Old growth = 200 years old."

LOL!! That designation - as arbitrary as it might be - has no relevance when referring to shrubs. That only pertains to forest trees, so there is no reason an azalea that has been growing for the better part of 50+ years, as Logan contends it has, could not legitimately be referred to as 'old growth'!

" "Old growth = 200 years old."

LOL!! That designation - as arbitrary as it might be - has no relevance when referring to shrubs. That only pertains to forest trees, so there is no reason an azalea that has been growing for the better part of 50+ years, as Logan contends it has, could not legitimately be referred to as 'old growth'!"

Well, what would you call it? It's one of the few old plants left that I haven't removed. Most of everything here is newly planted or as been here 4-6 years.

Pruning for increased denity is common. You shear as you would a boxwood, yew, privet or other hedge, basically a light trimming to provide a uniform shape and let the plant get a little bushier.

You think maybe there be a reason you've replaced everything else?

"Pruning for increased denity is common. You shear as you would a boxwood, yew, privet or other hedge, basically a light trimming to provide a uniform shape and let the plant get a little bushier.

You think maybe there be a reason you've replaced everything else?"

The only other thing growing in the rocks was pampas grass, and it was replaced because it was planted too close to the patio. I was afraid to shear, because sheared azaleas usually look really bad. What about taking the tips back about 1/4 of their size, then "round it over" several times during the summer. This will all be done with bypass pruners, no other kind of tools like electric shears. Of course, this will occur after bloom. I will also post some photos of it in bloom, it blooms later than other azaleas (most evergreen azaleas are blooming now).

It is mine. I guess I will take the branches back a bit after bloom. I will post photos of bloom and after pruning. I am actually going to go look for some more azaleas tomorrow, but they won't be planted in the rocks.

It's not happy where it is. That is not something that pruning can fix.

I will post photos of when it is in bloom. It flowers beautifully, and after it blooms the leaves will brighten up. The only thing wrong that I see is it being leggy. I will try pruning before I think about removing it.

Here is a photo that I took several days ago of the beginning of bloom:

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Here is a photo that I took this morning after some heavy rain. At peak bloom:

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