rhodendrons thining

[egs]

quick question.

 

i have been to see a job this afternoon. were the customer wants me to clear there garden. they have about 20-30 rhodo's with a stem diameter of about 15-25cm so there afair size. they were orginally planted to screed a lane that runs at the back of the garden. however they have growned out of control. some have been flattend from the snow after last winter.

 

so anyways the question i am asking is. `can i prune these rhodo's right back to just above the base, without killing them off? if so how long will it take for the foilage to come back? any other info i would be greatful

 

ps. the thread title not thinning, pruning

many thanks

[scbk]

I have cut rhodedendron bushes back to the stump and there was new shoots within a month or two. Would take a fair bit of time for them to re establish as bushes though!

[nepia]

Assuming they're ponticum they should be OK with that kind of treatment but many of the cultivated varieties aren't as robust.

[renewablejohn]

If you can spare the time pruning one third a year over 3 years should guarantee there survival. If varieties are unique you could air propagate using a plastic bag and moss.