Rhody & Azalea Care Time

You know, we get asked by a lot of Northwest gardeners, "When is the best time to prune rhododendrons and azaleas?" Well its just after they bloom. That way, the plants have time to form flower buds for next year. If you wait too long, you'll be stunting next year's blooms.

First, start with a good sharp pruner, like a by-pass type -- always remember, a sharp pruner is a lot easier to work with. Pruning will help keep your rhody or azalea in shape, and a light to moderate pruning done right after flowering won't affect flower bud formation next year.

If you don't need to do much pruning, at least dead-head the larger-flowering varieties. Dead-heading helps make the bush look more attractive after blooming is finished, helps reduce the chances of fungus issues and makes way for new growth. One effective method for pulling off spent blooms is to find the bloom cluster's base, pinch it between your thumb and first finger, then just snap it off. Next year's new growth is right behind that base. If it's not possible to remove the old flowers (too hard to reach or too small to work with), it's usually no bid deal, though flowering the next year may be reduced.

Feed your bushes. After pruning or dead-heading, use a good rhododendron and evergreen food, something like 4-12-10 to spur growth and recovery.

Keep an eye out for pest damage. While you're working with your rhododenrons and azaleas, do you notice any notches in the leaves? If so, this is root weevil damage from last year. Now, root weevils live in the soil during the day and then crawl up the plant at night and chew on the leaves. For control, use can use either Bug-B-Gone Dust or Orthene Spray.

So that's three things you should do after rhodies and azaleas bloom: prune/dead-head, fertilize, and kill off root weevils.

While much of the information in these tips is applicable in several gardening zones/climates, some of the plants and timing suggested are best suited to the Northwest, generally in the mild/wet growing regions found along the I-5 corridor. You should make appropriate adjustments or consult local gardening experts in regions whose climates differ from this area of the Northwest.