when to prune encore azaleas

The best time to prune Encore azaleas is right after their first bloom cycle in spring ends. Pruning at this time allows the plants enough time to put on new growth and develop flower buds for later in the summer. This post-bloom pruning encourages more blooms in spring, summer, and fall. You can prune by trimming about 4 to 6 inches back to maintain the size you want, or prune heavier if needed to control the size, especially for plants that have stretched out due to insufficient sunlight. If the azaleas are in too much shade and become leggy, they may require annual pruning after blooming to encourage fuller growth. Overall, pruning soon after flowering helps avoid cutting off next year's flower buds and promotes healthy regrowth and flowering.