Step 1 – wait until the flowers die off in the spring to prune.Step 2 – cut off dead branches and stems from the shrub.Step 3 – prune off live stems and branches to conform the plant into your preferred shape.

When can I shape my azaleas?

Prune azaleas soon after they bloom in the spring or early summer. The perfect time is when spent flowers begin to discolor and shrivel. Cutting them back in late summer, fall, or winter will remove flowerbuds and keep them from blooming. A pair of hand clippers and loppers are all you’ll need.

How far back can you prune azaleas?

Unlike shrubs that can be cut way back each year, Curtis says azaleas should be cut back a few branches at a time. “To fully rejuvenate older azaleas, cut one or two large branches back to between six inches or a foot from the ground per year.” she says.