Late May to early June is the time to work on azaleas. If you prune them, clean them up and fertilize them during this period, you will have beautiful plants with more blooms the following spring. Here’s the rationale:
- Proper pruning will encourage the stems to branch out
- Branching forms new stem tips—and lots more of them
- Azaleas bloom on these new tips, so—more tips makes more blooms.
- Most azaleas form new growth in the summer.
- Fertilizer will help them to form the new growth.
- They form flower buds for the following year in August and September.
- The flower buds on azaleas must go through a cold period followed by a warm period in order to flower.
Years ago I wrote an illustrated article that explains “The Basics of Pruning.” The article is short, to the point, and informative. You will learn about what happens when we trim a plant and then you will have the ammunition that you need to become an expert on the subject.
Click Here To Read “Pruning As an Art Form, The Basics of Pruning.
Two years ago, Dekie and I pruned and shaped some large azaleas on the edge of our driveway. I wrote an article about it then. The picture at the beginning of this article shows the results of our azalea renovation.
Click Below to see the article on how it is done.
Prune Azaleas in May-June. Fertilize Azaleas, Avoid and Kill Poison Ivy
Azalea before pruning:
johntheplantman--Gardening 
John, this came just in time for us to do some necessary pruning. Thanks.
I’m glad you could use it, Bob. It’s always good to help the man who fathered my lovely wife.