Azaleas are classic spring-blooming shrubs, lighting up the landscape with their colorful flowers. But in recent years, new varieties known as Encore Azaleas have become popular for their ability to bloom not just in spring, but again in the fall. While some gardeners feel fall-blooming azaleas are not natural, they provide an appealing extension of color in the autumn garden.
A Brief History of Encore Azaleas
Encore Azaleas were first introduced in the late 1990s by breeder Robert E. “Buddy” Lee at his Independence, Louisiana nursery. Lee used traditional breeding techniques over an eight year period to develop azaleas with an unusually weak dormancy period. This allows some buds to “wake up” and bloom when temperatures cool in autumn. Encore Azaleas quickly became hugely successful commercially, as they extended the season of interest and sales potential for azaleas.
Today, over 30 patented Encore varieties are available, in diverse flower colors, forms, and growth habits Competing breeders have since introduced their own fall-blooming azalea series, like Bloom-A-Thon and Rembrandt Azaleas
The Appeal of Azaleas in the Fall Garden
While some gardeners feel azaleas bloomings are best appreciated in spring, fall-blooming azaleas have undeniable appeal:
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They provide bright pops of color as other flowers fade. Encore Azaleas bloom from late summer through fall frosts often for 6 weeks or more.
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Their flowers stand out against autumn foliage. The colorful blooms contrast beautifully with the fiery reds and golds of changing tree leaves.
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Evergreen foliage offers winter interest. Even when not in bloom, Encores retain green, sometimes reddish-tinted foliage in winter.
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Long bloom season in spring as well. Despite also blooming in fall, Encores bloom abundantly in spring for up to 2-3 weeks, like traditional azaleas.
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Low maintenance once established. Encores need minimal care besides light pruning after blooms fade in spring and occasional fertilization.
Growing Encore Azaleas
Encore Azaleas thrive with similar care to traditional hardy deciduous azaleas:
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Plant in part to full sun. Morning sun is essential for good flowering. Provide afternoon shade in very hot climates.
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Provide rich, acidic, well-drained soil. Amend soil with bark fines or compost. Mulch to conserve soil moisture.
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Fertilize in early spring and mid-summer. Use an acidic fertilizer formulated for azaleas.
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Prune immediately after spring blooms fade. Pruning stimulates growth and maximizes future blooms.
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Water regularly for the first 2 years. Established plants are quite drought tolerant.
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Protect from harsh winter winds in cold climates. Use evergreen boughs as winter windbreaks.
Best Uses in the Landscape
Encore Azaleas are valued for their long season of 3-season interest:
Accent plants: The compact varieties work well in perennial and mixed borders. Larger types make striking specimen plants.
Foundation plantings: Low-growing varieties are ideal along homes, while tall types anchor corners. Evergreen foliage provides winter interest.
Border hedges: Encores quickly fill in when planted in staggered rows to form informal, flowering hedges. Evergreen foliage provides privacy when not in bloom.
Containers: Encore Azaleas stay compact in pots and bloom heavily. Bring containers inside for winter in cold zones.
Popular Varieties of Encore Azaleas
With over 30 varieties of Encore Azaleas to choose from, it’s easy to find one perfect for your specific needs:
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‘Autumn Royalty’ – Large, single purple-pink flowers on a vigorously growing shrub.
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‘Autumn Carnation’ – Prolific blooms of soft shell pink cover this medium-sized azalea.
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‘Autumn Twist’ – Abundant reddish-purple lace-like blooms on a mounded form.
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‘Autumn Debutante’ – Intense watermelon-pink single blooms on one of the first introductions.
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‘Autumn Bravo’ – Dense growth displays rich red semi-double blooms in great quantities.
The Charm of Fall Blooming Azaleas
While fall-blooming azaleas may not seem traditional to some, their plethora of colorful blooms extending the landscape’s beauty into fall are winning over many fans. Their low-care nature, compact sizes for small spaces, and evergreen foliage for winter make Encore Azaleas a unique, low-maintenance shrub for nearly any garden setting. Their charm both spring and fall is hard to resist!
Learn why fall is the optimal time to plant Encore Azaleas to ensure garden success in years to come
Plant reblooming Encore Azaleas in the fall to enjoy flowers until first frost. Fall is the best time to plant Encore Azaleas because the heat of summer is ending and cooler weather is coming.
What are the benefits of planting in fall?
The days will get shorter, the sun will be closer, and there will be plenty of time for the roots to grow before winter. The stresses of summer are over now that it’s cooler at night and rains more often. Plants can get back to growing. Cooler temperatures are ideal for root growth.
In fact, plants continue to develop roots as long as soil temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. When azaleas are planted in the fall, their roots can grow for a few months in the fall, spring, and even winter, before the next stressful summer season.
Why Fall Is For Planting – The New Autumn Bonfire™Encore® Azalea
FAQ
What do azalea bushes look like in the fall?
What should an azalea look like in winter?
How do you winterize azaleas?
Can you plant azaleas in September?
Do azaleas grow in the fall?
This means fall-planted azaleas have several months of active root growth during the fall, spring, and even winter months before the next stressful summer season. When planting your Encore Azaleas, choose an area that provides high filtered shade or a sunny location with some afternoon shade.
Are azaleas Hardy?
Here’s what you need to know about their hardiness: 1.**Hardiness Zones**: Azaleas are generally hardy in **zones 5 to 9**.However, some varieties can tolerate colder climates, even down to **zones 3
When does a Azalea Bloom?
‘Mother’s Day’ blooms with pink-red flowers from mid-spring. This Azalea has bright magenta blooms – almost a hot pink color. ‘Mothers Day’ blooms anywhere from the middle of spring to late springtime. Usually gracing the holiday of Mothers Day with some bright blossoms. It’s compact in size, growing to three feet tall.
Do azaleas lose their leaves?
Almost every fall I hear from friends and clients worried about their azaleas’ leaves turning bright yellow. The good news is they are probably just molting (or losing their leaves naturally). Although they are always green, evergreen shrubs do lose their leaves. It’s just not all at once like deciduous plants do.