Skip to content
logo The DIY portal for home and garden
Garden knowledge

When to prune rhododendrons

If a rhododendron becomes calcified, it can be pruned, but this is not a must
If a rhododendron becomes calcified, it can be pruned, but this is not a must Photo: Getty Images/Imgorthand

October 10, 2024, 11:18 am | Read time: 2 minutes

The rhododendron is still in bloom in some gardens, but soon the flowers will wither, and its heyday will be over. myHOMEBOOK editor Franka Kruse-Gering reveals when and how you should prune the rhododendron so that you can enjoy its flowers for a long time.

Share article

In principle, you do not need to prune a rhododendron, but occasionally, a rejuvenating pruning can do no harm. For example, if the plant has become a little out of shape. However, there are a few important points to bear in mind when pruning.

When is the right time to prune rhododendrons?

Rhododendrons are sensitive, so there are a few important details to bear in mind when pruning. The plant can be pruned before or after flowering. Before flowering, you can reach for the shears in February and March, depending on the frost, of course. After flowering, the rhododendron can be pruned from June to November. The flowers are a good guide in summer. Once they have withered, the plant can be pruned.

How to prune a rhododendron

It is important to use clean tools. This is the only way to prevent diseases from other plants spreading to the rhododendron through the cut. Before pruning, you should check whether the plant is properly rooted. If it is not and you prune it, the chances of new shoots are rather poor. Good rooting can be checked by pulling a little on the plant. If it moves well, it is not firmly integrated into the bed.

The branches can be pruned to 30 to 50 centimetres for radical rejuvenation pruning. When pruning, make sure that the branches are not cut straight. Rainwater could collect at these points. The cut should be made at an angle of around 45 degrees.

More on the topic

Proper care after pruning

After you have pruned your rhododendron, it is naturally weakened for the time being. Now, it needs special care. An extra dose of fertilizer is advisable. You can support the rhododendron with special fertilizer or horn shavings.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@petbook.de.

Topics Garden plants
Your data privacy when using the share function
To share this article or other content via social networks, we need your consent for this .
You have successfully withdrawn your consent to the processing of personal data through tracking and advertising when using this website. You can now consent to data processing again or object to legitimate interests.