It has been a productive spring; the azaleas and roses are having a flush year. Properly maintained plants overflowed with colorful blooms. As April and the beloved azalea flowers fade, we are given an opportunity to think about rejuvenation.
Azaleas grow with wild abandon in our area. And once they are established, they can easily dominate a yard. Strategic pruning is a must for these vibrant shrubs. Often viewed as merely maintenance, pruning can serve as a powerful metaphor for personal growth, turning a chore into a self-care checklist for the soul.
With Encore Azaleas blooming multiple times, a good rule of thumb is to prune your shrubs within three weeks of their bloom cycle ending. In our lives, the period following a success is the ideal time for similar reflection. When we feel accomplished, we have the emotional fuel to make difficult choices for ourselves.
To prune effectively, we need to look at why we are pruning the plant. Is it a light trim to help our azalea keep its shape, snipping the tips of branches off? Has it become leggy and needs to have entire branches removed to promote fresh growth? Is your shrub too dense? Restricting air flow to the center and needs to have select branches removed to allow air and light in. These different types of pruning reflect the times we need adjustments in our lives. Sometimes, we only need to make modest changes to keep on track -increasing our daily intake of water to promote health - other times, we need more drastic measures, moving to be closer to family or taking a new job.
We prune azaleas with intention and patience, holding a vision of next spring in our minds. Similarly, personal growth should be a mindful assessment of our energy return on investment (ROI). Taking care, we don’t keep unproductive ‘branches’ in our lives simply because they have been there for years. Whether it is an outdated identity of ourselves or a draining relationship, making space is an act of courage and revitalization. These intentional and possibly difficult adjustments ensure the beauty and vitality of our future self can be fully realized.
As you move through this year’s gardening duties, step back, assess your life’s landscape, and make some necessary and intentional adjustments. The work of pruning in your life today will ensure a more resilient and abundant ‘bloom’ tomorrow. As you give time to your garden and other things in your life, schedule some dedicated time for personal reflection
Mark your calendars, May 16 is the Ability Garden’s 3rd Saturday Plant Sales, 9 am – 1 pm, at the NHC Arboretum. May 18 is International Therapeutic Horticulture Day. Please share with others the benefits of plants and nature on our own wellness journey. Heather Kelejian is the Therapeutic Horticulture agent for N.C. Cooperative Extension in New Hanover County, located at the New Hanover County Arboretum. They can be reached at hlkeleji@ncsu.edu or 910-798-7660.
