Knowledgebase

Major pruning rhododendron and holly #923607

Asked January 14, 2026, 9:46 AM EST

Hi, I have three rhododendron and two holly bushes that are massively overgrown. I would like to prune them down to the base and see if they can come back and be better maintained. I was wondering if there are any tips on doing so, as well as the best time. I have read "late winter/early spring" but wanted to see if there was a more concrete time frame. Please let me know your thoughts! Thank you!

Hillsborough County New Hampshire

Expert Response

Hi Kim,

Thank you for contacting the UNH Extension Yard and Garden Infoline with your question about how to prune your overgrown rhododendron and holly bushes.  I have included links to fact sheets that should be useful.

https://extension.unh.edu/sites/default/files/migrated_unmanaged_files/Resource007692_Rep11274.pdf  As noted in this fact sheet, rhododendrons are spring flowering shrubs so, "If you want to maximize the flower show, prune spring flowering trees and shrubs shortly after they finish flowering."

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/pruning-large-overgrown-shrubs This fact sheet specifically discusses pruning overgrown shrubs.

https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2169e/  Includes videos about pruning.

https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Pruning_HowToPruneShrubs.pdf  This fact sheet discusses, among other topics, how to rejuvenate a shrub by cutting it to the ground in early spring before new growth begins.

I hope this information is helpful but please do not hesitate to ask further questions.

Thank you for contacting the Infoline, a service of UNH Cooperative Extension. Replied January 15, 2026, 10:10 AM EST

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