Rejuvenating Overgrown Azaleas: A Two-Step Pruning Plan

When azaleas become massive and dominate the landscape, a gradual approach works best. After the flowers drop in spring, cut the entire shrub back to about four feet. This opens the canopy and stimulates new growth near the base. In late June, return and remove the thickest, oldest limbs down to two feet, while trimming the tips of any new lower growth. The result is a smaller, naturally shaped shrub that still has time to set flower buds for next spring. Ongoing maintenance involves removing vigorous shoots after each bloom season to maintain size and encourage lower branching.

overgrown azalea