When to prune Rhodedendrums ?

[Mozzie]

We've just planted a Rhodedendrum in a smallish border area. I don't want it to get too large, is it possible to prune it and if so when ?
many thanks

[Mark43]

Early Spring is best so if it's fairly small at the moment then leave it till next year but dead wood can be removed anytime.

[Jonny]

Sorry, but I say prune it as soon as it starts growing and if it comes up again, then prune it again.................Jon

[Mark43]

Originally Posted by Jonny

Sorry, but I say prune it as soon as it starts growing and if it comes up again, then prune it again.................Jon

Hehehe.......not a rhododendrum lover then

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Mark43

Hehehe.......not a rhododendrum lover then

No mate.........They would be ok if they stayed in peoples gardens, but they don't, and they start to take over our countryside, smothering our native plants and poisoning the ground and also its a carrier of a fungus that causes "sudden oak death" which kills many of our native trees.
Sorry to have a rant on your thread Mozzie...................Jon

[Mark43]

Originally Posted by Jonny

No mate.........They would be ok if they stayed in peoples gardens, but they don't, and they start to take over our countryside, smothering our native plants and poisoning the ground and also its a carrier of a fungus that causes "sudden oak death" which kills many of our native trees.
Sorry to have a rant on your thread Mozzie...................Jon

Well i knew they were a bit of a parasite but didn't realise about the fungus.......interesting.

[Mozzie]

Thanks for the replies guys !

[blacky]

hi guys hate to disagree on pruning rhododendrons, but in my experence may is always a good month just after flowering i think mozzi is refering to hybrid rhodos like you buy at a garden centre and jonny means rhododendron ponticum the rapaging wild rhodos spreader of deases swaping native plants in certain parts of the country,we are lucky in Essex if any exscape they get there feet in stuck in the mud and drown , blacky

[Jonny]

Originally Posted by Mozzie

Thanks for the replies guys !

I feel really bad now............We have a new member, who asks a sensible question and then I go ranting on, which will discourage our new friend to post again, so Mozzie, I am really sorry I have ruined your thread, its just that I do work in our local heathland, removing rhodi's.
They are beautiful plants when in flower, and as according to my RHS book of pruning and training, the best time to prune is straight after flowering,in the late spring or early summer, which is the same for most plants. Also some good gardening advise is remember the three D's, Dead, Damaged and diseased.............Prune all that. Hope you post again.............Jon

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Jonny

I feel really bad now............We have a new member, who asks a sensible question and then I go ranting on, which will discourage our new friend to post again, so Mozzie, I am really sorry I have ruined your thread, its just that I do work in our local heathland, removing rhodi's.
They are beautiful plants when in flower, and as according to my RHS book of pruning and training, the best time to prune is straight after flowering,in the late spring or early summer, which is the same for most plants. Also some good gardening advise is remember the three D's, Dead, Damaged and diseased.............Prune all that. Hope you post again.............Jon

At least bees love them I suppose and I did come across one once that smelt really strongly of cinnamon and honey it was gorgeous!.......more than can be said for Japanese Knotweed