Sunday, May 13, 2012

"How to trim a Rhododendron"

  It has been a very busy week for me and I haven't even been on the computer! But I did get something done in the yard! As you know here in the "Mountain State", The Rhododendron, or “great laurel,” is the state flower. It was selected on January 29, 1903, by the Legislature, following a vote by kids in public schools. It is a shrub of the heath family and may be recognized by its large, dark evergreen leaves and mostly light pink, but many colored flowers! Most people have one in their yards as we do. When we moved in it looked like a Charlie Brown shrub, only about a foot tall. But after many years it looks like this and need a good trim!
Before I started!



6' ladder and half way done!
Finished!!!!!


  It really isn't rocket science! Just do it in the fall or spring. I did it right after the blooms went away so we could enjoy them this year. You don't have to take off as much as I did or you can take off more. YOU DECIDE! I have usually just taken off the new growth in the past but it was time for a big hair cut. Now the Azalea beside it looks a little lop sided. Well don't be scared to do it, just get in their and do it! God Bless you all and happy Mothers day!



Romans 11:24 "For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?"
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12 comments:

  1. My mom has one in her yard. I am not one to prune anything though...I even let my tomato plants go wild. I am always afraid I will kill whatever I am trying to help!

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    1. Pruning can actually stimulate new growth and can be healthy for the plant!

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  2. It was sure large before. My mom's get that big as well. You new size looks perfec.

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  3. Wow Clint. That's some haircut. It will look dazzling this year. I hope you get the chance to share photos of it in bloom sometime. Thank you.

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    1. It just did bloom, so we will have to wait til next year!

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  4. What a trim! It must be nice that you can see out the windows again. How long will it take to fill in?

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    1. It shouldn't take long I will post a pic when it is filled in!

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  5. Hello Clint and Dana! I haven't been ignoring you two, just been playing in the dirt a lot and running my teens to and fro! We have two large Rhodie's in our front yard and azaleas next to them just like you...My hubs does the trimming on them and it looks like you are doing a fine job with yours... I'm heading over to read your damping off post! Take good care and enjoy this glorious season!
    Deb

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    1. I know you haven't. This is a very busy time of the year for all gardeners. We all do understand! I haven't posted as much as I should but the slow time will come!

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  6. I realize it is indeed a busy time for gardeners and that's why I appreciate you taking the time to link up to Your Cozy Home Party. Have a great week!------- Shannon

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  7. Now you should have shown us a picture of the flowers too! :-) That was a great job done!

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