Hello gardening friends! My name is Grace, and I am a member of the Master Gardener Volunteer Program with the Ohio State University. From time to time, we get questions about how to prune rhododendron plants. In this post, you will find all the latest research-based information on how and when to prune rhododendron plants.

Trimming a Rhododendron

In general, rhododendron plants require little pruning. But, when you do prune them, it is very important to know when and how.

When to Prune Rhododendron Plants

The ideal time to prune rhododendrons is immediately after the plant has finished flowering. Be sure to prune before the plant sets its buds for the next bloom season. If you wait too long to prune, you may see fewer blooms the next year. Keep in mind that rhododendron bushes bloom at different times due to many factors like light conditions, climate, and temperatures. So, the correct time to prune can vary.

How to Prune Rhododendron Plants

When trimming a rhododendron, you will want to remove dead, diseased, and broken stems or branches. This will ensure that your rhododendron bush stays healthy for years to come. Before reshaping your bush, take time to study the plant and plan what you need to remove. If you are deadheading diseased branches or leaves, be sure to rake thoroughly afterwards. You do not want to leave diseased debris underneath your plant because it could cause bacteria or fungi to overwinter in the soil and infect the plant the following year. Simply rake the diseased branches, and burn or throw them away in your trash.

Conclusion

Given these points, pruning a rhododendron is best done once the plant has completely finished flowering, and before the bush has set its buds for the next growing season. If you’re interested in learning more about how to keep rhododendrons thriving, you can find useful information on topics like plant health, mulching, and more in this post from the Oregon State University Extension. The Master Gardener Program gets many questions like this. If you’d like to see more answers to questions like this, check out my “Ask a Master Gardener” series. You can also subscribe to my newsletters to get the most recent news from my garden! I hope these tips help to keep your rhododendron plants healthy and thriving!