Pruning is seldom needed except for removal of faded flowers (which is called deadheading), but if you do prune, it is best to prune around March in the Pennsylvania area, understanding that they currently have dormant, spring 2023 flower buds so you may lose all or many spring blooms. Try to limit the number of branches cut to about 1/3 of branches with flower buds. This reduces the spring blooms but the remaining branches will provide some blooms. Typically, there is little need for pruning azaleas and rhododendrons if planted where they can attain their plant label's estimated size at maturity. If growth becomes excessive, reduce the size with light pruning. Plant form can be improved by pinching out the soft, new shoots in spring. Each spring, after the flower buds start to swell and the smaller leaf buds become different/obvious, use pinching on the top of the plant to prevent it from getting taller. Prune out any dead, diseased, crossing, leafless (leafless after the spring leaf out!) or damaged branches, and if the plants have become scraggly, start cutting the oldest branches back to encourage growth in younger branches. Review throughout the growing season if the sides are not getting much direct sunlight.

Where to prune exactly: With larger leaf rhododendrons (elepidotes), only prune just above the growth joints. Each year as the plant starts to grow there is a visible growth joint that indicates where the branch started growth and that is where dormant growth buds are located. With your azaleas and any small leaf rhododendrons (lepidotes), you can prune anywhere along the branch as the azalea branches have dormant growth buds nearly everywhere.