pruning in winter?

[mtemm]

am wondering if I can cut back a few plants in the winter, like my rhododendrums and holly? anyone know?

 

[gina2000]

Rhododendrons must be pruned right after they bloom. They set their next year's blooms shortly thereafter. If you prune them now, you will not have blooms in the spring.


I had to look up pruning holly. Many can be pruned in the winter but some should not be pruned at all. You need to know what type of holly bush you have to determine if it should be pruned.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Both of them should not be pruned to be honest. Is there a reason you need to prune them?

And you never "cut back" a broadleaf evergreen. Pruning should be no more than a 1/2" a year. You can shape a holly, but it needs to be done slowly.

 

[mtemm]

thanks! the rhod is just getting taller than I want it to be, so really just want to lop off the top a bit, but can wait until after blooms. the holly is more of a reshaping, but will research that more.

I need to get a good hand gardening. we are so used to moving around I haven't had to deal with maturing plants before! I'm still getting to know the plants I can cut all the way back in the fall and those which turn green again in the spring. I figure winter is a good time to learn, and we have a warm day (40s) today so thought I might lop off a few bits here and there but will definitely hold off until I know for sure the plant can be cut back.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Rhododrendrons are supposed to get tall. They are a maintenance free plant and part of the beauty of the plant.

Read this because you need to understand where to cut it back. You don't want to do it too severely as they are slow growers and you do not want to cut off all the yrs worth of growth.

http://www.rhododendron.org/v47n2p79.htm

 

[mtemm]

excellent! thank you!!!! am wondering why the previous owners put the plant where they did...it would be insane if it got too tall (right in front of my house/office window. its so pretty I don't want to rip it out, but at the same time, it really needs to be somewhat controlled in order to stay there.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

excellent! thank you!!!! am wondering why the previous owners put the plant where they did...it would be insane if it got too tall (right in front of my house/office window. its so pretty I don't want to rip it out, but at the same time, it really needs to be somewhat controlled in order to stay there.

Funny you should say that. I planted a rhododendron in front of my house office window last fall.

I want it to be nice and big. I like looking at it.

 

[mtemm]

lol. I like looking at it, too, but if it continues to grow I won't see anything BUT it. and I'd really really really miss the sun coming in my windows.