Encore azaleas really do repeat bloom in the fall
If you have never tried an Encore azalea, you may be wondering if they really have a repeat bloom in the fall?
The answer is, absolutely. The Encores really do repeat.
There are 31 repeat-blooming varieties. When it comes to fall, some bloom early, some midseason, others late.
This gives us the opportunity to have a floral display for fall festivals, Thanksgiving and Christmas, depending on where we live and, of course, Mother Nature is ultimately in control with various weather patterns. In Savannah, Ga., I had some blooming for New Year’s Day.
Many of the Encore azaleas are cold hardy from zones 6a-10b and perform best in organic rich, well-drained soil. It’s been said that the key to the green thumb is how brown it gets in soil preparation. Compost and organic matter improve tight, heavy soil, allowing for the best drainage.
Add a layer of mulch after planting and again each year. The azalea keeps the roots near the soil surface, and this annual decomposition of mulch and organic matter will maintain a good environment for new roots and help in moisture retention.
Choose a site with 4-to-6 hours of direct sunlight. Partial-sun gardens with high shifting sunlight will also prove to be an optimal location.
I like them planted in curvy informal sweeps or clusters versus the formal toy soldier look. With 31 varieties, you will find a wide range of colors and sizes — from dwarf to intermediate — when it comes to planting habit. You’ll find double-blooming selections like ‘Autumn Belle,’ which caught my attention as it was frequently visited by hummingbirds, to those that have an almost iridescent shimmer, like the pink ‘Autumn Jewel.’
You will also be amazed to see the number of butterflies and bees that visit the flowers every day that they are blooming. So yes, the Encore azaleas do repeat. Fall is a great time to plant, those roots will get established and will have a huge jump-start come spring. Pick your varieties to spread out your azalea blooming season