The pro-gardener’s secret to pruning rhododendron and getting a glorious bush

Ken Crowther discusses how to prune a mature rhododendron bush for the best display. Ken looks at an established rhododendron ponticum and demonstrates where to cut the branches for the best results.

Ken says the time to start pruning is immediately after flowering between May to Mid-June.

Have you got rhododendron in your garden? Post a comment below and tell us about your experience with the plant >>>

Invasive species

The Government has no plans to restrict or prevent the sale of rhododendron in England. However, the plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981’s list of non-native species that are already established in the wild and which continue to pose a conservation threat to native biodiversity and habitats, so that further releases should be regulated.

The Great Britain Non-native Species Secretariat, part of Defra’s Animal & Plant Health Agency has an interesting blog on preventing the spread of invasive plants from gardens.

Defra, Natural England and Environment Agency guidance on how to stop invasive non-native plants from spreading.

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