Try not to prune during a freeze. If you cut your plant and the cut branches get frozen, the severe cold may damage or shock the plant.
You can cut flowers off your rhododendron in the middle of spring when they are at their peak to get a beautiful bouquet of flowers. This will not hurt your plant.
Rhododendrons are known for their beautiful flowers, so you may want to see your plant with its flowers before you decide to take some away.
Pruning only the dead parts of your plant will also help promote a more natural, less landscaped look for your rhododendron.
Rhododendrons will only conform to a shape to a certain extent. They have broad leaves and longer branches, so they may not ever look completely uniform.
Some healthy rhododendrons can even be cut down to 6 inches (15 cm) above the ground, but it’s recommended that you try 2 feet (0. 61 m) first to see if your plant will survive. You should not use this method if your rhododendron is sick or especially old, because it is more likely to be shocked and not revive after such a harsh cut.
Tools can break or become dangerous when used improperly. You should always read the manual and operating instructions of any tool before you use it. Ask for professional help if you need it. Large, tree-like rhododendrons can sometimes require an expert to take care of them. You can check with your local landscaping company to see if they offer the services you need.
Place a tarp beneath the area you are cutting for an easier cleanup of branches and leaves. It might be easier to break off the dead branches, which will not hurt your plant, since they are already dead.
If your city has a yard debris program, you can put your cut branches in your yard debris bin.
