I was deadheading my Mountain Laurels, and I thought that maybe I should prune them instead. They all look like this one, a little leggy. What do you think? And if I should prune, how much?
Thanks.
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claregirl
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- Location: Newtown, Connecticut Zone 6
My Mountain Laurels
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rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
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You are lucky! 
I love mountain laurel, but it requires acid soil and mine is alkaline; I just can't grow them. They usually don't need a lot of pruning, but if you are going to prune, do it right after they bloom. Like some other shrubs, they set buds for next year's flowers in late summer or early fall. If you prune after that, you will remove the buds and reduce flowering. If you think it is too leggy, cut out a few (no more than a third) of its tallest stems. That will encourage new growth in the center of the plant. Otherwise just cut out any dead branches or spindly or weak ones.
I love mountain laurel, but it requires acid soil and mine is alkaline; I just can't grow them. They usually don't need a lot of pruning, but if you are going to prune, do it right after they bloom. Like some other shrubs, they set buds for next year's flowers in late summer or early fall. If you prune after that, you will remove the buds and reduce flowering. If you think it is too leggy, cut out a few (no more than a third) of its tallest stems. That will encourage new growth in the center of the plant. Otherwise just cut out any dead branches or spindly or weak ones.
