Pruning your rhododendron is a good manner to keep it from getting too braggy or to fetch an old plant back to life . While you re busy with the secateurs , a little deadheading will keep your shrub looking great too . gardening expert Mandy Bradshaw shows you how to prune your rhododendron so that you’re able to get the most out of its spring flowers .
Rhododendrons are beautiful bounce - blooming shrubs that add together a pop of colour to the garden . However , they can easy get out of ascendence and become too magnanimous for their space . If your rhododendron has acquire too enceinte , do n’t panic – there are root . Here are some tips for dealing with an overgrown rhododendron :
Evaluate the Situation
Take a step back and objectively reckon at the rhododendron view the pursual
How big is it presently ? evaluate the height and width .
How freehanded was it hypothecate to get ? Check the plant tag or explore the variety online to find its expect mature size of it .
How much space do you have for it ? Take measure of the area to shape if the rhododendron has outgrown its allotted outer space .
Does it get enough sun ? Rhododendrons need at least 6 hours of unmediated sun daily . deficiency of ignitor can cause leggy development .
Are the tooth root exposed ? This is a mark it may be pot - bound or root - bound and require more space .
Are there deadened branch ? Thinning and woody ontogeny can be mansion of an overgrown shrub .
Prune Selectively
The best prison term to prune rhododendrons is right after flowering . Remove bushed or damage branches first . Then make strategic baseball swing to shape the flora and encourage bushy new growth :
slight inner branches and branches that rub or cross to amend airwave circulation .
Shorten long , tall-growing branch , trend back to just above a leafage client .
Remove suckers and in facing branches to keep an open , rounded figure .
write out tall outer branch back by 1/3 to 1/2 their duration to reduce height .
Only crop up to 1/3 of the plant each yr to forfend shock . Disinfect pruning tools between cuts .
Consider Transplanting
If trim alone wo n’t solve the problem , transplanting the rhododendron to a new localization may be necessary . This is best done in other spring or fall . Carefully dig up the root ball and replant in an arena with well - draining soil and ample way . Water well after transplanting and mulch around the ancestor zone . Transplant shock may cause it to not bloom for a time of year , but this is normal .
Provide Proper Care
Good caution is key to preventing rhododendron from becoming overgrown :
H2O 1 - 2 inches per calendar week , conform for rain . Avoid sloshed feet .
Fertilize in former leap and mid - summer with acid - enjoy plant life intellectual nourishment .
Mulch around the root geographical zone to retain moisture and suppress weeds .
Remove spent flowers and seed pods to elevate reblooming .
Prune each year right after flowering by selectively remove unhealthful and overcrowded branches .
Consider Dwarf Varieties
When planting a new rhododendron , select a midget cultivar suitable for your space . Smaller varieties like R. ‘ Ramapo ’ , R. ‘ April Rose ’ , and R. ‘ Cunningham ’s White ’ typically acquire to just 3 - 5 feet tall and broad at maturity . bribe the right sizing plant can foreclose headaches down the road .
With some patience and right fear , an overgrown rhododendron can be tamed . The key is to debar render to fix it all at once . Make small , gradual changes over time to keep this beauty in limit .
How to prune a rhododendron
knockout rationalise overgrown shrubs in winter while the plant is dormant : Rhododendron Wine and Roses from T&M
With a sharp pair of secateurs , you’re able to do light pruning and deadheading . Long - handled lopper may be easier for gradually reducing the size of it and shape of your rhododendron . Once the flowers are gone , cut the branches back to a cluster of leaves to keep the bush from perplex too big and promote bushier growth .
intemperate pruning is an option for an old , well - established rhododendron that require a young lease on living . On a day in February or March when there wo n’t be any frost , switch off back offshoot all the way to one of the minor , tacit buds .
If necessary , you may coppice the works down to around 150 cm tall . Proceed with precaution though , as not all rhododendrons will answer well to this treatment . It might be easygoing to do the work over a few years , sheer the shrub down by a third each year until it ’s the right size and shape .
Always feed , mulch and water system the plant well after heavy pruning .
Visit our comprehensive hub varlet for more info and expert advice on evergreen plant .
See all pruning guides
What Not to Do to Your Rhododendrons
FAQ
How to reduce the size of a rhododendron ?
How to trim an overgrown rhododendron ?
How to murder big rhododendron ?
How freehanded can a rhododendron bush get ?
