Azalea pruning

[Brown Thumbs]

We have azaleas around our house but I do not know what variety they are. They are fairly large and we cut them back, and prune them right after they flower each spring. I've been told they will not flower the next spring if you prune them again this time of year. Is that true?

Since they are up next to our house we would like to keep them shaped like shrubs. By late summer and early fall they have grown and are all out of shape. Should we leave them alone or can we shape them up without causing problems for next season's flowers? Thanks.

[rainbowgardener]

It has probably set at least the beginnings of the buds for next year's flowers already (I went out and checked my azalea and found them). So if you prune it now, you will be pruning off next year's flowers.

[catgrass]

Yeah, depending on how severely you prune, you will be pruning off flowers. However, I see people prune theirs like little boxes all over town, and they still bloom in the spring, although, not as full as those not pruned.