"Eggs Zachtly" ...
Shecki said:
Eggs Zachtly :
Tomes said:
"Eggs Zachtly"...

Prune it as you see fit, to the shape you desire, if it's done
blooming.

OK, here's my question build on this. I have huge rhododendrons
around my
deck. I have in the past pruned them back but not too much after
flowering ends. No problem there. My thing here is that I have been
afraid to cut them back 'too much'.

Is there such a thing as 'too much'? I would ideally like to cut
them
back to lower than on-the-deck head height and this might be cutting
off a
good third of the height. Will they branch out from old center wood?

If they're done blooming, cut them back. A third is fine. Thinning out
the
center will allow better airflow to all parts of the exposed plant.

Be aware that next years flowers are currently buds at the base of
this years flowers.

Not true. The buds for /next/ year's blooms haven't formed yet. They
form
on this season's growth, but they don't "form at the base of this years
flowers". And, they don't form until late summer/fall.

It also depends on the species. Large-leaf Rhodos don't have dormant
buds
below the new growth. Cutting past the new growth will keep it from
flowering next season, but will rebound nicely the second year after
pruning. Small-leaf Rhodos can be pruned at any point along the stem.

If you choose to prune them, no flowers next year.

Again, it depends on the variety, and how drastically they're pruned.
For
the OP, with a Rhodo that is much larger than desired, it's probably a
good
idea to forgo blooms for a season, to get the plant "under control".

You can cut a Rhodo completely back to the ground, with no leaves left,
and
it will come back.


Yep, I have trimmed off portions of branches on these plants and have the
new branches produce flowers the following year. I just have not done so
as drastically as I might just do this year. It is almost time.

This bit: "You can cut a Rhodo completely back to the ground, with no
leaves left, and it will come back." is very comforting. It gives me some
wiggle room grin.
Thanks,
Tomes