In message , Chris Hogg
writes
A recent thread said that autumn is too
late - but what about right now - next year's flowering doesn't matter
much, but I wouldn't like to damage the plants permanently.


You may get some new growth before winter sets in, but it will be soft
and may not come through the winter. I'd leave it IIWY, and perhaps
feed the plants with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser (even use straight
sulphate of ammonia) in the spring and a couple of times through early
and mid-summer, to encourage growth after you've pruned them. A mulch
of leafmould or peat over the roots will help keep them moist and keep
the growth going during the summer. Water them regularly. As I said
before, not all rhodies will survive hard pruning, although the common
purple, R. ponticum, will survive anything, even burning.

Thanks, Chris - I'll take a chance with some of the ponticums (after
all, they're nearly weeds) and chop them down now, but follow your
advice on all the others - and presumably the azaleas as well.

Many thanks for your help.

--
Klara, Gatwick basin