GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post

Bill[_13_] · 21-04-2008, 09:29 PM posted to rec.gardens

In article
,
wrote:

Hi all-

I've lived in my home for 1.5 years, and when we moved in, the
previous owners had 2 azalea bushes. Both are about 12 feet tall and
about 10ft. wide. They are enormous. I don't want to remove them
because I believe that they have been on the property a long time...

The problem is...I pruned them last year quite a bit (still too
large), but I began cutting very thick branches just under the surface
of the leaves. I want the bush to be much smaller, but do I need to
cut it down to nothing, and hope it grows back? I am willing to cut
the whole thing so there is nothing left but a stump and let it revive
itself, but is that the best way to have it "start over" ?

Thanks for any help.

How old is your house ? How old are you and how much do you like this
stuff ? I'd purchase or start propagating news ones and do it now.
Layering sounds like a viable option. Place a rock on a low branch
which is covered with dirt. Wait 2 years and separate.

Ours are getting leggy and strained so slowly in with the new and out
with the old. Meanwhile the old lingers about here as we are attached
to them. We chose good variety's 35 years and had just a few problems
mostly some sort of insect that likes to suck on the bottom of the
leaves.

Still just ordered 12 deciduous azaleas. My better picks up a few
that catches her eye too. But our mist propagating years are 25 years
ago are done.

Seems a few kids took our attention.

Bill who prefers pines and bamboo's.

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Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA