What is the best way to prune broadleafs, such as rhododendrons?
Broadleaf evergreens are handled the same as deciduous trees and shrubs. You can thin to control the height and size. On flowering broadleaf evergreens, prune right after they have bloomed. Rhododendrons will also profit from having the growing tips pinched back, encouraging side growth and better blooming. Korean boxwood can be lightly pruned at any time. What is the best way to prune needled evergreens? To prune needled evergreens, remove about 1/3 – 1/2 of each new growth candle. ‘Candle’ is the term for the long, narrow growth shoots at the tips of branches. They are usually a soft, light green in color until they are fully expanded, when the needles begin to stiffen and develop a darker color. pinch right after the new growth has finished expanding, but before it has hardened off. In our area, this is usually in early June. If you need to take off more, prune out branches selectively, taking them back to where they meet another branch. Avoid removing lower branches unless they are
