With a rhododendron in the garden, you have a beautiful evergreen shrub that blooms profusely every spring. In terms of height, he doesn’t have a lot of notes on his voice, but that can make him look a bit nicer. We tell you when you can best do this size and how you should do it.
When to prune the rhododendron?
The best time to prune a rhododendron is right after flowering. Then it can recover for the rest of the growing season and set new buds for the following year. If you prune it before it flowers, you’ll prune the buds and it won’t flower that year. Most rhododendrons flower from April to June, so the pruning period then falls on May to July. Preferably choose a cloudy day for pruning.
Right after flowering, it’s time to prune
How to prune the rhododendron?
If a rhododendron has space and grows well, there is little need to prune it. Then cut only the branches that are out of place. If you want to keep its size within limits, prune the offshoots every year. Preferably cut just above a shoot that points outward, which encourages open growth. Dead, diseased or crossed wood should be removed from the shrub annually. Use clean, sharp pruning shears. But when the branches are thicker, switch to a loppers or handsaw.
Drastically cut rhododendrons
Has a rhododendron grown much too large, has bare branches at the bottom, no longer blooms well, or is it no longer beautiful? Then you can prune it drastically. Do it as a normal pruning, right after flowering. You can prune just above a leaf whorl, then it will regrow easily. But a healthy rhododendron almost always regrows, so you can prune it 20 centimeters above the ground if necessary. Provided that there are still “eyes”, also called sleeping buds, visible below. Otherwise, a height of 50-70 centimeters is preferable. Plan an oblique cut so that rainwater runs off and rot does not occur.
If a lot of sun is expected, protect it for a few days, as previously covered wood is not yet accustomed to so much sun and can otherwise burn. Also, give it plenty of water so it doesn’t dry out. The rhododendron is very sensitive to this. In a previous article we told you more about the flowering shrub.
It may take a few years for the shrub to return to its former glory. It may also have fewer flowers the following year as it puts its strength into its recovery. But in the long run, you’ll get a nice, full bush in return.
Read also: Here’s how to prune a Magnolia (beaver) after flowering
Should faded flowers be removed or not?
It is not necessarily necessary to remove faded flowers. But it is possible. You can remove them by applying light pressure with your hands. Preferably wear gloves, as the rhododendron is poisonous. With a young shrub, it is more interesting to remove the faded flowers, because you can be sure that it will put all its energy into producing flower buds for the following year. And not in the possible formation of seeds.
On the Garden & Balcony overview page you will find many more tips and tricks for enjoying the garden and balcony. From tips on caring for garden plants to practical advice on pruning and landscaping.
(Source: Growth & Bloom, Appeltern Adventure Gardens, Intratuin, Directplant, tuincentrum.nl, rhododendronprune.nl. Photos: Shutterstock)