Old rhododendrons

Hi folks, I know a lot has been said about rhodos in the past, and have just done a search, but haven't found the answer I'm after. At work, we have a few of the purple native rhodo bushes up the drive, which should be looking very nice at this time! [which they are elsewhere in the grounds]These however, are quite old and tired looking, not many flowers and rather spindly bushes. They do suffer a lot from the Caithness winds I think, and have signs of windburn on the leaves. What would be the correct procedure to restore them to their former beauty, [I'm talking 20yrs ago they were said to have been magnificent!] Is the answer to cut them right down, possibly with a chainsaw?, would that see them regrow vigorously ? Any solutions?

 

If you mean ponticum, as I guess you do - then they'll definitiley re-grow up there! These are real thugs up here in Scotland!
Is this it? http://images.google.com/images?q=rhododendron+ponticum&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

 

We do not have any native rhodos. The troublesome horrors that blanket Scottish and Welsh mountains are all garden escapes. Yes - cut them down and they'll burst forth again bigger and bushier than ever.

 

Thanks dendy. Can I really be ruthless cutting them right down to about 12-18"??

 

Thanks too, Hornbeam!

 

I've known them re-generate from virtually nothing! I'd go for making it a good shape - so go down as low as necessary to do that, always bearing in mind the golden rule - cut to an outward facing bud!! But if you can't see any, I wouldn't worry too much in this case - it'll grow anyway! :D