Autumn Embers Encore Azalea

Rhododendron hybrid ‘Conleb’ PP10581

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6b-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 3′

Width at Maturity: 4′

Spacing: 3-3.5′ for solid hedges; 7’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Bushy, Dense, Mounding, Upright

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: Orange-Red

Flower Size: Medium, 2.5-3″

Flowering Period: Mid-Spring, Late Summer, Early Fall, Mid-Fall

Flower Type: Semi-Double

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Dark Green, Purple tinted in Winter

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average, Lower when established

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sandy (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 5.0 – 6.5 (Acid to Slightly Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Low, Average

Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer Resistance – more info, Drought (when well established), Clay Soil (heavy clay should be amended), Heat, Humidity, Sun

Description

In 1998, the release of the first reblooming Encore Azalea changed the Azalea world forever. Since then, over 30 Encore varieties have been released. When provided enough sunlight (6 or more hours per day) all varieties bloom in spring and then repeat summer into fall.

One of the most popular Encore Azalea varieties for its eye catching flowers, Autumn Embers produces an abundance of large 2.5-3 inch diameter deep orange-red double blooms with ruffled petals in spring, summer, and fall against a backdrop of dense, handsome green foliage. Attractive purple foliage provides interest during the cool season. University trials have shown Autumn Embers to be one of the most cold tolerant Encore Azalea varieties in the series. The flowers are attractive to butterflies.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide, Autumn Embers Encore Azalea is a perfect choice for groupings, mass plantings, mid-size hedges or an accent in landscape borders and home foundation plantings. The captivating double flowers also make it one of the most popular selection for growing in containers and pots, which can be strategically placed to dress up decks, patios, porches, and other outdoor living spaces. Because they like sun to part shade, Encores do quite well under tall trees and along woodland borders. Butterflies love the flowers, and blooming branches serve very well for cutting to create stunning indoor floral arrangements.

Suggested Spacing: 3-3.5 feet apart for solid hedges; 7 feet or more apart for space between plants

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b, where this Encore Azalea variety is not winter hardy outdoors, you can enjoy it in containers that can be moved indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

Growing Preferences

We’ve been growing Encore Azaleas in our gardens since they were first released in the 1990’s and can say with confidence that when planted right, and in the right spot, Encore Azaleas are among the easiest azaleas easy to grow.

Soil: When planted in the ground, Encore Azaleas adapt well to most soil types. In general, like all other azaleas, the Encores prefer an organically rich, moist but well-drained acidic soil. Constantly soggy or wet soil is problematic for azaleas. Heavy clay, quick-draining sand, or otherwise poor soils are best amended with organic matter or other soil amendments to provide sufficient nutrients, better soil drainage, and/or moisture retention.

In containers, a 50/50 blend of professional potting mix and potting soil is suggested. Make sure the pot has a hole(s) in the bottom that allow for sufficient drainage. As mentioned above, Encore Azaleas do not like a constantly soggy soil.

Sun: Encore Azaleas will grow in sun or part shade. For best flowering and reblooming, we recommend at least 4 hours or more of direct sunlight per day. All-day lightly filtered sun, such as under tall trees, is okay. In regions that experience very hot summers with intense sunlight, Encore Azaleas might appreciate a break from direct sun during the mid afternoon hours.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Encore Azaleas.

Planting Encore Azaleas
Pruning Encore Azaleas

Fertilizing Encore Azaleas
Watering Encore Azaleas
The Most Cold Tolerant Encore Azaleas

We are proud members of the ASA

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us!

I ordered 7 of these azaleas and they arrived swiftly and in excellent condition.——————————————–Thanks for the kind words and awesome review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Azaleas arrived with blooms on them They are so beautiful They were shipped fast and secure Thank you very much—————————————————–Thanks so much for your review. Let us know if there’s ever anything we can help you with. 🙂 – Beth | WBG

Hi Folks,
Plants arrived in good condition and were planted within an hour. However, I want to make you aware that FedEx delivered the plants to 527 Tidewater Chase Lane NOT my address of 522 Tidewater. Fortunately the residents at 527 were home and brought them over on a two wheeler.
Best Regards.——————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Your selections were great. And high five to the folks who delivered it to the right address! There’s still good people in the world:-) Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Blooms are yet to be seen, but shipping was outstanding and plants undamaged.———————————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the awesome review! Beth | WBG 🙂

All the plants arrived and seemed to be in good condition. All have been planted. Looking forward to the Spring. Will plan on mulching them heavily this Fall.——————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the wonderful review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Solid one gallon azalea. Even had a flower or two. Planted and awaiting an awesome spring.——————————————We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

I bought two encore azaleas, one red and one purple. I received two beautiful nice sized plants. My red one is in bloom now. This nursery has some of the best plants and they aren’t starter plants. Highly recommend Wilson Bros. Garden plants.——————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I purchased the Autumn Embers Encore Azaleas. This is the best for my region. We get snow and cold temps often into April. The plants arrived in good condition and already blooming. The blooms are beautiful. I have been unable to plant them yet as our nighttime temps are still to cold for the plants which came from a warmer climate so they go out during the day and in at night. Hopefully I can plant them soon. I think they will be a nice addition to my yard and look forward to having blooms well into fall.—————————————We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

My order just arrived, wow beautiful Azaleas. Can’t wait to get them planted. Im very pleased. Thanks
Now I must order several more varieties.———————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! Thanks for the kind words! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I ordered this particular azalea from another company that was low in inventory, so I fulfilled my quantity here at Wilson Bros, which showed me the comparison between Wilson Bros and other online options. I wish that I had ordered all of my plants from Wilson Bros. The specimens that I received were larger, healthier, and more vigorous than the competitors. Plus, the price was excellent and the free shipping is rare in the plant shipping industry. I am very impressed and so happy with these beautiful azaleas. Looking forward to seeing them in full color this spring.—————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks so much for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I got this great Azalea in later November, so I do not expect to see flowers till the Spring. The plant looks healthy and well established. Thanks.————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Really happy with both plants. Arrived in good shape and we planted them right away. Both seem to be doing fine. Was a great experience shopping with you and will be a repeat customer. Thank you.———————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Arrived good condition. No blooms yet. Good website experience. Almost as good as on-site plant choosing!—————————————We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Great looking plant. Was blooming when I took it out of the box and it still blooming!——————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks foer the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Plant arrived in great shape- packaging in good shape- planted properly but as i was finishing up a storm hit and rains continued. The next morning I went to finish up and the deer didn’t like where I had planted it, and ate it down to about 6 inches, Now it is in intensive care and hoping for a full recovery.——————————————-We are glad you are pleased with your purchase! I hate that the deer got it, I hope it makes a full recovery!! Maybe try some deer repellant…of course if it rains you have to reapply! Beth | WBG 🙂

I ordered three different color azalea. They were delivered in a timely matter. Only one had a bloom on it which I wasn’t expecting. As in I thought they would all be blooming 🙁 But I planted them and I’m looking forward to seeing them beautifully flowered as they grow. This was a good shopping experience. If only the delivery would’ve paid attention to the arrow that said this side up—————————-If they are all Encore Azaleas they will bloom again! And I sure wish the shippers would pay attention to those arrows too! But we are glad you are pleased with your purchase! Beth | WBG 🙂

I received my plants packed in the most unique way I’ve ever received plants before. You could tell those that packed them loved them as much as I did when I received them. They are so healthy and I can’t wait to see them bloom.————————————-Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG

Wilson Brothers have become my therapy during this trying time. This azalea as well as all the plants I have ordered have arrived in excellent condition. They are thriving and look great.——————————-We are so glad you are pleased! Thanks! Beth | WBG

The Embers Encore Azaleas arrived very healthy and happy, and even in this hot, Florida drought that we are currently experiencing, they are thriving and starting to bloom. Will definitely be ordering more of these beauties! —————————– WBG Reply: Hi Carla – Thanks so much for your review of the Autumn Embers Encore Azaleas and we hope you enjoy them for many years to come. Nice to hear they’re handling the heat and drought well there in FL. My dad lives in The Villages, FL and has many varieties of Encore Azaleas doing well there for many years. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can do for you. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

The plant looks great, although I guess we’ll find out the bloom color in Spring; and I have every confidence that it will grow well. The shipping was timely and efficient. We’ll buy from them again! Hank ——————— WBG Reply: Hi Hank! – Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review and for the compliments. The Encores Azaleas bloom at a young age so you should get to see some blooms in spring. Hope you enjoy the azaleas for years to come! Let us know of there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

Encore azaleas simply are the best most healthy azaleas on the market. If they get enough sun they will bloom at least three times each season. The colors are simply outstanding. Wilson Brothers is without a doubt the best online nursery on the market. Shipment is fast and plants are all outstanding and healthy. I have several local nurseries in my area but Wilson Brothers always sends me far superior plants. —————– WBG RESPONSE: Hi Robert – Thanks so much for your compliments! It makes everything we do even more worth the while. I have all 30 varieties of Encore Azaleas growing in my landscape and have yet to lose a single one over the years. That’ said, I’ve been growing azaleas for decades and have learned the basics for easy success, which folks can find under the Planting and Care tabs on this or any other azalea page in our website. Have you tried the new Autumn Fire Encore Azalea? The flower color is indescribable, and it produces LOADS of blooms even at a young age. Thanks again and let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service. Plant long and prosper! – Brent Wilson | Wilson Bros Gardens

Very pleased with the color and shape of the plant

I ordered 5 of the encore Azalea’s. Colors were Red/Purple/White. They came well packaged and the company was easy to deal with. I still have blooms on the red ones and it’s November 7. I will definitely buy more of these.