Landscaping with rhododendrons adds colorful flowering and striking foliage to your yard. But how severely can you prune rhododendrons back? Rhododendrons are tolerant of severe prunings. But if a rhododendron needs extensive pruning, spread it out over a couple of years to avoid shock.... If your rhododendron just requires minor trimming, simply shape it to suit your aesthetic tastes.

But do follow some general guidelines even when doing minor pruning on rhododendrons. These guidelines include removing branches from the middle of the plant to promote air flow and let in light, as well as removing dead branches.