Watch Reply. Hi, Deborah: Thanks for this excellent question. In the south, especially Georgia, azaleas thrive in conditions that most other plants detest. If you prune later in the year, you will be clipping … This corner rests on a 365 acre tract that once was indigo farm, then became a nursery and finally was transformed into one of the most revered golf courses in the world; The Augusta National. They never need pruning, so the rest of this epistle is not about them. Here's how to prune azaleas correctly and avoid the state of green blobness so prevalent in our neighborhoods. Georgia Gardener. The proper time to prune these shrubs depends on when they bloom, how new buds are formed, and the desired outcome from the prune. 13 years ago. These buds produce summer flowers. If you prune your gardenia bush with shears before it’s finished blooming, you could cause damage to the growing blooms. They were imported from Kurume, Japan, to the Arnold Arboretum in Boston in the early 1900s and soon made their way into the nursery trade. ©2020 Walter Reeves / The Simple Gardener, Inc. All Rights Reserved. I am in Alabama zone 7b and have 12' tall Formosa azaleas planted near the house to soften its height. That should be done anytime damaged or dead wood is observed, to prevent disease. if you trim them too late they won't bloom in the spring. Follow. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension experts say prune azaleas now, after they have bloomed, to allow the plants to prepare for blooming next year. The best means of pruning an azalea would be to shear 5-10 cm (2-4 in.) If you wait too long and prune in late summer or fall, you'll be taking off the maturing buds that will turn into next spring's flowers. The plant prefers filtered morning sun for flower formation. In fact, they respond very well to pruning, so they're perfect for growing as hedges or trimming into standards. Azaleas are a traditional part of Southern landscapes. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or one especially formulated for acid-loving plants. The numbers refer to the proportionate amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the product. Lv 7. 13 years ago. The azaleas has already set the bloom buds for the next season so you will be trimming next year’s bloom off. How to Prune Overgrown Azaleas. To keep azaleas at their best, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialists offer a few maintenance tips. I bought azalea food this weekend. ©2020 Walter Reeves / The Simple Gardener, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Q: I know when and how to prune old-fashioned azaleas but I don’t know how to prune the kind that also bloom in the fall. What about in the Fall? This video describes the when, why, and how to prune azaleas. Tips for Beginners: How To Prune Evergreen Azaleas American Rhododendron Society. The last hard frost typically has occurred by this time, making pruning safe, according to the rose's developer, The Conard-Pyle Company. Make your cuts about an inch or so above a leaf. Leona Reply: The short answer is a little over a month after they finishing blooming. Test the soil pH as the azalea plant prefers an acidic soil that has a pH of 4.5 … Don’t spend a lot of time learning how to feed azaleas until you are sure the plants require fertilizer. This gives the azaleas plenty of time to make flower buds for next year. The best time to prune is within a three week period after they finish blooming in spring. Sunday Apr 19, 2015 at 12:13 AM. If you prune now, you won't have any flowers in April. Cut these branches back to a point just a couple or few inches above the main form of the plant. Prune tall shoots back inside the body of the plant. Light pruning(12 inches or less) after flowering but not after July 10th (Early spring – February – and autumn pruning removes next year’s blossoms). The azaleas I have seen and those gardeners who I have talked to also experienced a less than banner year for blooms. … This corner rests on a 365 acre tract that once was indigo farm, then became a nursery and finally was transformed into one of the most revered golf courses in the world; The Augusta National. If you think your soil is no longer up to par, apply a fertilizer designed for acid-loving … Many evergreen azaleas never experience the pruning shears, since, for the most part, these plants are naturally well behaved. If you need to control the size … Here in Georgia it represents the beginning of warm weather for spring and tells us that it’s time to break our slumber and get out in that yard and take back control. Most azaleas are just going to need a little shaping and thinning, to maintain size and health. How To Plant, Prune, Fertilizer, Water, Grow And Care For Native Azaleas And Deciduous Rhododendrons. I have researched but haven't seen an exact answer to this. Al… Azaleas are a staple of traditional southern landscapes and have become a major staple in the area due to a small "corner." Email Save Comment 5. When do I prune? Not that it will damage the plant but you'll be pruning off all the blossoms for the following spring. There’re just too many other things to do in my garden that time of year. Therefore, pruning after early July may reduce next year's flower production. Most Kurume hybrids are low- to medium-growing shrubs (2 to 3 feet), but a few grow to 5 to 6 feet. Azaleas look great planted en masse in a garden bed. Azaleas planted in Georgia must be watered to keep the soil moist during the growing season as the climate has periods of drought in the summer months. We did however have good growing conditions through last year and some of those larger azalea varieties are growing outside of their boundaries. I love them tall, but I haven't pruned them in 22 years except for dead wood and they look a little … Botanically, azaleas are members of theEricaceae (Heath) family, which includes blueberries and mountain laurel. Any suggestions? These buds produce summer flowers. Pruning azaleas. Most varieties are long flowering and many are suitable for growing in tubs. Follow these guidlines and watch your Encore Azaleas thrive. When pruning a healthy Encore Azalea, use sharp hand pruners to cut back branches that have outgrown the rest of the shrub and are spoiling the shape of the plant. The best time to prune your azaleas is within 3 weeks of when they are done blooming. More. Withstanding native azaleas, Asian azaleas, which go by many names including Coral Bells, Hino Crimsons, Formosas, and George Tabers do well in this area. Once the flowers have faded is the perfect time to prune those old azaleas that have been needing some serious pruning attention for years. Sasanqua camellias bloom in the fall and early winter. It is not necessary to prune azaleas yearly but when they outgrow their intended space it becomes necessary. Step 1 - wait until the flowers die off in the spring to prune. 1 decade ago. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension experts say prune azaleas now, after they have bloomed, to allow the plants to prepare for blooming next year. The best time to fertilize is right after spring bloom.