Gardening and Horticulture - trimming a rhododendron

3 years ago, I moved/replanted 6 rhododendrons. All survived and bloomed well this year.

They are planted in a row along the side of my house.

One of the bushes had a rough time with the move and dropped the majority of it's leaves along the bottom 3/5's of the plants height. I did have good blooms and growth along the top this year.

I now have a row of very full, green bushes, with one in the middle that is bear and dead on the bottom. It has been suggested that I should trim it way back too stimulate new growth from the bottom up. I've never trimmed rhododendrons before..... if I cut it way back... will it grow up/fill in? I know a forsythia bush would?? will a rhododendron?

Thanks
Scott

Rhododendron can be cut back to about six inches from the ground. Not all survive this drastic pruning. For more info on how to prune rhododendron and when, go to http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/how-to/articles/three-ways-prune-rhododendrons.aspx?nterms=74872