Autumn Empress Encore Azalea

Rhododendron hybrid ‘Conles’ PP12109

Plant Details

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

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 4′

Width at Maturity: 3′

Spacing: 2.5′ for solid hedges; 5’+ for space between plants

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

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: Bright Pink

Flower Size: Medium, 2 – 2.25″

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.

Autumn Empress Encore Azalea produces an abundance of gorgeous, 2.5-inch diameter, vibrant pink double blooms in spring, summer, and fall against handsome green foliage. University trials have shown Autumn Empress to be one of the most cold tolerant Encore Azalea varieties in the series. The hose-in-hose double flowers are a joy to look at and the butterflies love them. Cut blooming branches for use to create stunning indoor floral arrangements.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide, Autumn Empress Encore Azalea is a perfect choice for groupings, mass plantings, mid-size hedges or an accent in landscape borders and home foundation plantings. It is also a fine 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: 2.5 feet apart for solid hedges; 5 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