Did I over prune my azalea? will it bloom next year?

7 years ago

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>I have 2 azaleas that bloom right after the other (zone 6b, near the ocean). 1 was getting too big for its spot, and depriving the other one (which is my favorite) of light.

I went a little crazy with the lopers, but my working theory was that exposing the middle of the bush to light and air would encourage more foliage.

now I'm worried that I over did it, and I cut off all its buds so it won't bloom next year....

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User

7 years ago

Naw, you did OK, Susan. It's pruned and it knows durned well it's been pruned but, as Gardengal said, it won't set bud until much later in the season and it'll happily blossom next year, just on a smaller bush.

As a very general rule, most things that blossom in spring can be safely pruned back up until July 4th without checking. After that, it's smart to check when it sets buds for the following year to make sure you aren't cutting them off.

I currently have The Azalea That Ate Cleveland that's about to get cut back within an inch of its life. Your cutback is nothing compared to the one I'm giving mine. It'll blossom just fine in 2020.

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Comments (6)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
It shouldn't have much impact. Flower buds on rhodies and azaleas are set in late summer-early fall for the following season.
Susan T
Original Author
7 years ago
my photos never load! meant to post these with my original question...
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Susan T
Original Author
7 years ago
thank you, Morpheus! I feel so much better about it now that I know it won't end up like my lilac that I "trimmed" back every fall and never bloomed.
Embothrium
7 years ago
The stubs you left are going to take awhile to grow back enough to bloom again. And your pruned plant is a 'P.J.M' rhododendrons and not an azalea, was impressive before and now looks like it has been mauled by rabbits - it would have been better instead to move the azalea away from it, which could have been done easily.
Susan T
Original Author
7 years ago
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>thanks, Embothrium, you're so right. I'm still new to the long term landscape planning and got carried away. thanks for the tips and for making me laugh