Are cute little rabbits doing the pruning of your azaleas for you? We’re thinking you may not want a hare being the “haredresser.” Hares love new buds and twigs, and I’m accusing them of giving my azalea a “Mohawk” cut this past fall. Unfortunately, they just don’t know when or how to prune properly.
I say this because timing is very important! Azaleas should be pruned immediately after the bush has completely finished blooming and is adorned with brown, dead blossoms and before next year’s buds begin forming. Next year’s blossom buds usually begin forming in July. If you prune after the beginning of July, your chances of getting blossoms next year are reduced greatly. Now, you wouldn’t want that, would you?
So remember if you really want to shape or control size of an azalea bush, prune immediately after the last flower has dropped!
Check this out to learn a little more on how to prune azaleas.