Azalea Pruning

Today, we are going to show you how to prune the azalea cultivar ‘Karen.’ This is a locally bred cultivar by Joseph Gable in Stewartstown, PA. ‘Karen’ is very cold hardy for this area and has a pretty lavender bloom in April-May. Butterflies and hummingbirds are drawn to the flowers and the shrub will tolerate rabbits, but the deer like to nibble on the branches. ‘Karen’ has pretty copper colored fall foliage and creates a striking hedge or mass planting in the garden.
Azaleas like acidic, well-drained soil in partial shade, usually on the north or east facing direction. Don’t plant these shrubs near trees of the walnut family because they are sensitive to the compound juglone produced by the roots of walnuts, butternuts and hickories. While pruning, try to build a strong foundation of mature branches that will act as a form for future growth. Remove smaller branches that are crossing over each other and do your best to not leave stubs which could introduce rot.

Joyce Browning Horticulturist, Master Gardener Coordinator
Video credit: Bethany Evans Longwood Gardens Professional Gardener Program Alumni; CPH

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