Deadheading Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons and Azaleas tend to be looking a little on the untidy side right about now.  They have flowered spectacularly and are getting ready to put all their efforts into new foliage.  So to help them concentrate their energy it is a good idea to remove the faded flowers.

The image above shows the plant before it has been deadheaded then below shows it after.

It is a simple job where you hold the base of the old flower and snap it off.  The picture to the left shows a spent flower and then the image below that shows where it has been removed.  The only thing you have to watch when you are doing this is not to damage or remove the emerging new leaves.

Once you have deadheaded the entire bush it is a good idea to give the plant a feed.  I like to give them a liquid sequestered feed.  I water over the entire plant and around the base, giving them a little helping hand for the new foliage they are about to produce.