Ill Effects

• Pruning a healthy azalea shrub in November, when temperatures are cooling down and the plant starts going dormant, poses many problems. Pruning in fall may trigger dormant leaf buds to sprout during any warm days. The new shoots remain tender and die when the next subfreezing temperatures occur. Azalea flower buds also already exist on twigs by fall. Pruning removes them. Lastly, pruning just before winter's onset exposes wounds and stem tissues not previously exposed to the elements. This leads to more extensive plant die back from bouts of winter cold.
  
  

Reasons to Prune Cautiously

• If the deciduous or evergreen azalea displays canker disease on branches in November, it may still be timely to prune the infected tissues. It's not ideal timing. Cankers develop from fungal infections, often the result of overly wet growing conditions from poorly draining soils, lack of air circulation or planting too deeply. If the weather in November isn't too cold and it's dry, prune away only the sick, fungus-damaged branches. You still must weigh concerns of sprouting, removing flower buds and winter hardiness when deciding to prune off cankers in fall or wait until next spring.
  
  

Best Time to Prune

• The best time to prune the azalea shrub is in early spring, such as in March. This lets the plant rejuvenate new growth and mature before the onset of the next winter. However, you may not want to sacrifice any flowers that open in March through May. In that case, delay pruning until immediately after the azaleas complete their yearly flower display.
  
  

Regional Advice for the South

• Across the United States, most regions find azaleas already dormant in November in preparation for winter. In U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 and 9, which includes Southern California, the Gulf Coast and Florida, November weather may be deceivingly mild. Resist the urge to prune even if weather cooperates. Remontant or re-blooming azaleas, such as those in the Encore series that are still flowering in late fall, also should not be pruned in November. Delay the task until late winter even in the mild southern latitudes.