I've been reading this thread....and I fear the worst :( Yesterday ( July 29, 2012 ) in a frenzy, I literally almost cut down an azalea bush that has been on our property for over 40 years. The thing was over seven feet tall and just taking over the walkway to our back door. I started what I thought was pruning (without doing ANY research on the subject) and began cutting away branch after branch. The leaves were only on the very outside of the bush, about three inches deep, but I wanted to trim the whole bush by about two feet. So even when I cut a little bit, all that was left were bare, gnarly branches. Now the thing looks bald and half dead. The tippy top is still covered in leaves, so hopefully those young buds will bloom next year, but what about the rest? I'm afraid I may have killed it. My family is gonna kill me :( I will take a picture and upload. Any support or encouragement will be welcomed. Sincerely, The Bush Killer.

First, it's fine to prune and shape your azaleas so they are not obscuring your window, but be forewarned that these may not be the right plants for that site...they are going to grow again and eventually be back at the same height that is displeasing you now. Prune immediately after bloom so as not to spoil this years display. Is there something different about the azalea on the end that would cause it to not thrive like the others? More sun, less water? Spider mites can often be controlled, or reduced in numbers, by frequent blasts from the hose, several days in a row, dislodging them and spoiling their preference for dry conditions. Pruning congested plants would make that easier to achieve. Last, the swollen, malformed leaves - azalea leaf gall. If you have just the few you describe, hand pick and dispose of them. Heavier infections may respond to a fungicide spray just as leaves begin to unfurl, but it doesn't sound like you have enough of a problem to warrant spraying. This is common following a wet spring, your post will probably be the first of several this season. :) Here is a link that might be useful: Azalea leaf gall

Sure you can...they don't respond (often) well to being cut back to really old wood. Obviously if you prune now, expect no flowers next year for sure.

The timing described in the article is correct, but it almost reads as though pruning is a regular and necessary chore. Azaleas require very little pruning other than occasional removal of weak or dead wood, a snip here and there to balance shape.