Pruning Correct pruning will result in luxurious azaleas. Occasionally, azalea plants are allowed to grow quite large, in fact too large, for their location. These can safely be pruned back to within inches of the ground. Many shrubs are overlooked when pruning time comes around.
Azaleas are among the most neglected or incorrectly pruned shrubs in our landscape.
This originated from the time when azaleas were considered very rare. Pruning is important The few people who grew azaleas were afraid any pruning could damage or kill them. Consequently, only the avid and secure gardener would prune or cut them. It should be remembered that azaleas, like most shrubs, will be healthier, more compact and attractive if pruned beginning when quite young and continued throughout the life of the plant. Pruning can, when correctly done, improve a plant's appearance, reduce the size of overgrown plants, remove dead, diseased, or weak stems and increase the number of flowers.