When should I prune my rhododendron?

A rhododendron should be pruned as its finishing flowering or immediately after its done flowering, which is usually in the spring. It is okay to prune your rhododendron while it still has flowers on it.

Rhododendrons produce buds which grow slowly over the course of 10 months and eventually blossom into flowers. As soon as the rhododendron stops flowering it starts growing the buds which will turn into next year's flowers.

If the rhododendron is pruned too long after it has finished flowering then you risk cutting off the new buds which will prevent it from flowering the following season. Don’t panic if you pruned your rhododendrons at the wrong time and removed the buds, your rhododendron will just have less flowers the following season.

Proper pruning methods and timing is crucial to the success of your rhododendron flowers. Correct pruning will keep your plants healthy over time and will continue to promote bud growth and flowering.