Termite Prep and the Azaleas

As part of the preparation for the termite fumigation coming next week, we need to get all the plants trimmed at least 1 foot from the side of the house. Luckily, there isn't a lot of plantings right against the house so this shouldn't be too big of an issue.

That said, the front bed of azaleas has gone almost untouched for the 8 years we have lived here. I have lightly pruned these shrubs, but never taken any dramatic action. Now I had to approach the project with a stronger hand.

Along with pruning the foliage back from the house, I decided to do a heavy pruning to open up the plants and give them a bit of a fresh start after 10 years or more of free-wheeling growth. I think I did pretty well. While the shrubs look a little spindly now, I think they will quickly rebound and respond with more appropriate growth. In one case, the azalea had been trimmed into a hedge shape using a hedge trimmer for years. This took more of an effort, but I believe a more natural habit has been restored.

Here are before and after pictures of the front bed.

Next, I have to spend a few minutes pulling the Wisteria and Clytostoma vines off the house and garage, and pulling back some Agapanthus foliage. With the big project out of the way, though, I feel I am right on track to be ready for next Monday.

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