It's about the middle of June, so I know I only have about 2-3 weeks left before I can no longer prune my

azaleas. Most azaleas bloom in the spring and set their buds (which will be the blooms for next spring) in the late summer. The best time to prune azaleas is right after they have finished blooming in the spring. I generally stop pruning my azaleas on July 4th to ensure that they have plenty of time to set their buds for next year. The July 4th date is an easy date to remember and helps keep things simple. Remember do not prune with hedge shears or power shears to ensure that your azaleas look their best. The beauty of an azalea excels when they look natural and open. Using hedge shears removes the natural beauty of an azalea and often leaves the plant looking boxed or meatball looking.

I like to use my trusted hand scissor pruners for pruning. I go inside the canopy of the shrub and hide my cut under the existing growth. I start by pruning the tallest shoot, then repeat until I have removed the desired amount of growth without making the plant look as if it has just been pruned. This allows for future growth to start from inside the plant which in turn creates a more full and beautiful shrub. Get ready for a spectacular spring now, by pruning now.