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Azalea Daviesii - keep it small by pruning?

rolanda.woorolanda.woo Posts: 94
edited September 2021 in Problem solving
I really like the look of this Azalea. But my garden can't support it's full mature size 1.8mx1.8m.

Is it feasible to prune this plant to keep it not too wide and not too tall, without being detrimental to its health? I read some website seems to suggest it's a bit delicate/fussy when it comes to pruning. 

Also the area I'm planning to plant the Azalea Daviesli is a bit exposed to wind (but it's the sunniest spot of the entire garden). Would that be a problem?
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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited September 2021
    I'd think I'd just find something more suited to your space  :)
    It rarely works well when you try to compromise the conditions of shrubs, unless they're bog standard shrubs that don't mind being hacked back regularly. 

    I've never had that one, but some of the deciduous azaleas [lutea for example] are fine in more open sites, and some simply aren't. Full sun isn't great for them either. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    If your soil is suitable (acid) I say go for it; it will take a heck of a long time to reach 1.8m (ten years or more) and you can deal with it at that point. And 1.8m isn't that big, really; you will be able to underplant it. They are lovely shrubs and beautifully scented.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • arneilarneil Posts: 313
    I wouldn’t plant it in full sun 
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    The farther north you are, the more sun they can take.
    If you prune them, you would lose a years flowers, so regular pruning wouldn't work. 
    Sunny Dundee
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I don't think @rolanda.woo is up here @Balgay.Hill. I'd already mentioned the sun, but yes - they're not a huge problem up here if the site's right.  It still depends on other factors though. 
    They grow quite quickly up here too. The dwarf evergreen ones are slow growing. 
    They're not the best shrub for a small garden either because they don't really earn their keep IMO. Neutral soil is also fine for them, they don't need acidic soil. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    I agree about not earning their keep. Best to select a variety (deciduous) that gives good autumn colour as well as nice flowers.
    Sunny Dundee
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Indeed. They're absolutely beautiful, but pretty dull apart from the few weeks of flowering  :)
    Fine in a large garden when it doesn't matter so much. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    Yes, i wouldn't want one in a small garden where it would be the main feature.
    Sunny Dundee
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    There's a house near me which has a hedge of lutea. When my older daughter was at Playgroup, we walked past it each day, and it was glorious - for those few weeks.  :)
    They don't have much planting in the garden apart from that, and another hedge at the front, with a few plants in a small border [fairly typical front garden] although it may be different now - I never walk that way when I'm out. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    It has good autumn colour, as well as the spring flowers, but is more of a background shrub in summer. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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