rhodedendrons

After dead heading if I prune to wood will I kill the shrub? Maisie

 

Depends on the age of the shrub - why do you want to prune it?.

 

the shrub is over 50 years old and the flowers don't last very long and are pale and insipid. Maisie

 

Maisie well even we don't live for ever, do we? lol
not sure what to say, is it sentimental ? even then, you may want to replace it with something............never ...

 

maisie, 50 years old is a good age for a rhodo. but they can live much longer.
If the flowers dont last long and are insipid, then they probably always were.
Try pruning back a few branches this year and maybe a few more next year, so as not to shock the plant.
pete

 

pete, thanx will try that. maisie