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It's hard to imagine something more like a gorgeous living bouquet with an abundance of blooming flowers than rhododendron. These tree-like shrubs will not leave anyone indifferent during the flowering period and, not unreasonably, are considered quite capricious and finicky to care for. At the same time, pruning rhododendrons is no more difficult than other beautifully flowering perennials. Although, depending on the variety being grown, these amazing beauties have their own characteristics and subtleties in pruning.
Is it possible to prune rhododendron?
It is widely believed that rhododendrons do not particularly need pruning, since they are genetically inherent in the desire for an almost ideal bush shape. And many novice gardeners are so sensitive to their promising plant pets that they are frightened by the mere thought of picking up a pruning shear and cutting something off from a valuable specimen of rhododendron.
In fact, the experience of many gardeners, who have been growing various types of rhododendrons in their gardens for many years, shows that pruning rhododendrons is not only possible, but also necessary.Like absolutely all plants, they absolutely need regular sanitary pruning. Many varieties also need to correct their growth form. And more mature plants cannot escape anti-aging pruning. Sometimes it can only be replaced by a complete replacement of the bush. But not every gardener is ready to easily say goodbye to his favorite, which has delighted him with its flowering for many years, just because it has completely lost its shape.
But, in order not to bring your flowering pets to this state, it is better to monitor every year all the nuances of possible improper growth of the bushes and help them by forming an attractive crown with the help of pruning.
On the other hand, rhododendrons, unlike many other ornamental shrubs and trees, do not always require mandatory pruning. Indeed, even during transplantation, thanks to the small and compact root system, their roots do not stop their activity for a moment. This means that when moving shrubs with an intact root ball, they do not need subsequent traditional shortening of the branches in order to bring the “bottoms” and “tops” of the plants into balance.
Why do you need to prune rhododendrons?
As is the case with almost any representative of the plant kingdom, pruning rhododendrons helps solve many different problems:
- it serves as a prevention of various diseases and prevents pests from penetrating deep into branches or trunks;
- enhances growth and branching;
- helps the bushes to perform at their best during flowering;
- increases the decorative value of plants and reduces natural deficiencies;
- allows you to annually enjoy the abundant and colorful flowering of your favorite bushes;
- helps prolong the life and beauty of many aging specimens.
When is the best time to prune rhododendrons?
The most appropriate timing for pruning rhododendrons depends most of all on the purposes for which this or that procedure is carried out. It is most optimal for most varieties to carry out various types of pruning at the very beginning of spring, even before the buds awaken. In some cases, this must be done in late spring or early summer. Most rhododendrons require special pruning after flowering. Finally, it is also possible to prune in the autumn, before the onset of winter cold.
How to prune rhododendron
There is no specific average technology for pruning any rhododendron. The type, extent and even time period for pruning are chosen depending on the species (deciduous or evergreen) and the age of the plant.
All existing varieties of rhododendrons are usually divided into the following categories, differing in the types of pruning applied to them:
- deciduous small-leaved;
- deciduous and semi-evergreen large-leaved;
- evergreen small-leaved;
- evergreen large-leaved.
For plants of the first group, it is very important to carry out annual pinching of the tips of young shoots at the end of May or at the beginning of June from the very first years after planting to form a thick and beautiful crown. In the fall, and throughout the entire season, you can mercilessly remove all too frail and underdeveloped branches, as well as shoots growing towards the center of the crown. Anti-aging pruning for shrubs of this group can be carried out once every 5-7 years.
For rhododendrons of the third group with small evergreen leaves, formative pruning is especially important, which stimulates the formation of many young branches. If desired, these varieties can be given almost any shape by pruning. Even form them into neat, attractive “balls.” True, this requires considerable regular effort and attention on the part of the gardener throughout the year and is better achieved in warmer regions with mild winters.
In large-leaved evergreen species, strongly elongated and bare shoots are usually shortened in early spring to stimulate lateral branching. Anti-aging pruning of large-leaved rhododendrons is carried out no more often than after 12-16 years.
How to prune rhododendrons in spring
In early spring, even before the buds swell, the following is usually carried out:
- sanitary;
- starting;
- formative;
- anti-aging pruning of rhododendrons.
In the middle zone, this period usually falls in the second half of March or early April.
After the main snow melts, it becomes approximately clear how the bushes survived the winter. Sanitary pruning of rhododendrons consists, first of all, of removing completely broken shoots, which are cut off just below the break. If the branch has not broken off entirely, then if desired, you can try to save it. To do this, the fracture site is tied with polyethylene tape, and the shoot itself is tied to the upper branches or a supporting support is placed.
In deciduous rhododendrons, the bark on individual shoots may crack during harsh winters.In these cases, it is necessary to trim all damaged branches back to the living area.
Sanitary pruning also includes the removal of dry and frozen branches and leaves. But in many deciduous varieties it is not so easy to identify them before the buds swell. Therefore, you can wait a little and prune later, after the leaves have bloomed.
Starting pruning is usually carried out after purchasing and transplanting a young shrub to a new location. For evergreen types it is usually not necessary. But deciduous bushes, if desired, can be immediately given a shape that is attractive to the eye.
Spring pruning of rhododendrons is often carried out to form a decorative crown. At the same time, either strongly protruding branches are removed, or those that grow deep into the crown and unnecessarily thicken it. As mentioned above, in deciduous types it is recommended to additionally pinch young shoots, especially at a young age.
Anti-aging pruning begins if the rhododendron bushes grow so large that they cover part of the passage on the path or shade the windows of residential premises. At the same time, you should not trim branches more than 3-4 cm thick, otherwise the bushes may die. The evergreen large-leaved varieties of rhododendrons are especially tender. The cut areas must be covered with a special garden paste or varnish. Within 20-25 days, dormant buds on the branches below the cut may awaken and the bush will begin to grow with fresh shoots.
Next year it is already possible to restore decorativeness and lush flowering.
It happens that it is necessary to carry out a strong rejuvenation, cutting off the branches almost to a stump. In this option, the branches are cut at a distance of 30-40 cm from the ground. But you shouldn’t prune the entire bush at once.Deciduous species may be able to withstand such pruning, but evergreen plants have a chance of not surviving it and not recovering. Therefore, they usually cut off about half the bush in order to complete what they started next year.
How to prune rhododendron after flowering
If you provide rhododendrons with competent and appropriate care throughout the season, they will delight you with abundant flowering and fruiting. But it was noticed that in this case the plants exhibit some periodicity in flowering. Because they spend too much effort on the formation of fruits and seeds. If the bushes are grown solely for the sake of lush and beautiful inflorescences, then immediately after flowering they must be carefully broken out or cut off. Usually the faded inflorescence is taken with two or three fingers and slightly bent to the side. It breaks easily. You just have to watch carefully so as not to accidentally touch the young shoots that form at the very base of the inflorescences.
As a result, all available reserves of nutrients in the plant will not be used for the formation of seeds, but for the laying of new flowering buds and the formation of new shoots. In addition, instead of one, two or three new young shoots are usually formed at the site of the inflorescence.
How to prune rhododendron for the winter
For the winter, rhododendrons undergo only sanitary and sometimes rejuvenating pruning. In terms of timing, it most often falls at the end of September or the first half of October. Depending on the region, this should occur several weeks before the onset of stable frosts and 2 weeks after the last feeding.
Rhododendron pruning in the fall is most often carried out in order to reduce the height of the bushes and ensure their full wintering under shelters.
Advice from experienced gardeners
In order for pruning rhododendrons to give the desired result, it is useful to listen to the opinions of experienced gardeners who have been successfully growing this luxurious shrub for many years.
- After any pruning, even sanitary pruning, rhododendron bushes must be watered abundantly and fed with a comprehensive set of fertilizers. The only exception is autumn pruning.
- It is best to prune bushes regularly, ensuring the correct shape of the plants every year. If for some reason the rhododendron has not been pruned for a long time, then you should not carry out drastic pruning during one season. It's better to do this gradually.
- When formative and rejuvenating pruning in early spring, it is very important to feel for dormant buds and trim the branches above them. Dormant buds usually appear as small thickenings of a pinkish tint on the shoots and are quite easy to feel with your fingers.
- If rhododendrons were grown from seeds, they should not be pruned at all until the first flowering. Otherwise, it may delay the formation of flowers for another 2-3 years.
Conclusion
You shouldn't be afraid to prune rhododendrons. For many varieties, pruning is the only way to get beautiful and attractive-looking bushes. In addition, only regular removal of inflorescences helps the abundant annual flowering of these beautiful plants.
