Pruning or Pinching your rhododendrons is an enjoyable task that can make an average plant look spectacular! The most important thing to remember is that pruning is timing... just before the plant begins to grow, prune unwanted areas. This is usually best just after peak bloom. If saving the bloom is no concern, prune in either late fall or early spring.
"Pinching" Rhododendrons is simply pinching off the single (terminal) shoots of new growth, emerging from last year's growth. This is usually seen as a single terminal growth shoot that when pinched off forces subsequent shoots of lateral growth.
Pinching makes plants wider and thicker. The larger the leaves, the more particular you need to prune. Good pinching practices make large-leaf varieties maintain a nice full-habit and is a better method for shaping than pruning.
Every stem or leaf will have a very small node that will come alive in a couple of days after pruning. Within a couple of weeks, the node will be a full size shoot of new growth.
You can prune rhododendrons way back, nearly to the ground but recognize that it will take them at least 2 years to look full and produce flowers again.
Don't be afraid to make some major structural changes. You can usually get away with severe pruning in late fall but we suggest waiting for spring's natural growth spurt.
Thinner, lepidote rhododendrons and most azaleas can be shaped according to your eye's judgement.
