The Charm of Azaleas in the Fall Garden

Azaleas are a classic spring-blooming shrub that brighten up landscapes 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:

• 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.

• Their flowers stand out against autumn foliage. The colorful blooms contrast beautifully with the fiery reds and golds of changing tree leaves.

• Evergreen foliage offers winter interest. Even when not in bloom, Encores retain green, sometimes reddish-tinted foliage in winter.

• 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.

• 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:

• Plant in part to full sun. Morning sun is essential for good flowering. Provide afternoon shade in very hot climates.

• Provide rich, acidic, well-drained soil. Amend soil with bark fines or compost. Mulch to conserve soil moisture.

• Fertilize in early spring and mid-summer. Use an acidic fertilizer formulated for azaleas.

• Prune immediately after spring blooms fade. Pruning stimulates growth and maximizes future blooms.

• Water regularly for the first 2 years. Established plants are quite drought tolerant.

• 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:

• ‘Autumn Royalty’ – Large, single purple-pink flowers on a vigorously growing shrub.

• ‘Autumn Carnation’ – Prolific blooms of soft shell pink cover this medium-sized azalea.

• ‘Autumn Twist’ – Abundant reddish-purple lace-like blooms on a mounded form.

• ‘Autumn Debutante’ – Intense watermelon-pink single blooms on one of the first introductions.

• ‘Autumn Bravo’ – Dense growth displays rich red semi-double blooms in great quantities.

Caring for Azaleas in Fall

Caring for azaleas in the fall involves preparing them for winter dormancy. Here are some tips:

• Prune azaleas within 2-3 weeks after spring blooming to shape the plant and encourage new growth. For fall-blooming varieties, prune lightly after fall bloom.

• Apply an acidic fertilizer formulated for azaleas in early fall to provide nutrients through winter. Avoid late fertilizing that stimulates growth prone to winter damage.

• Water azaleas thoroughly before ground freezes. Drought stress weakens plants going into winter dormancy.

• Add 2-4 inches of mulch around azaleas in late fall. Mulch insulates roots and provides organic matter as it decomposes over winter.

• Protect azaleas from harsh winter winds and frost heaving. Burlap screens or evergreen boughs make good windbreaks.

• Check soil pH in fall and amend if needed to maintain acidic levels azaleas prefer. Sulfur or aluminum sulfate can help lower pH.

• Propagate azaleas by taking cuttings in mid to late fall. The cooler weather helps promote root growth before growth slows over winter.

Troubleshooting Issues with Azaleas in Fall

Some common issues with azaleas in fall include:

• Yellowing leaves are natural as azaleas start shedding older leaves in preparation for dormancy. As long as newer leaves look healthy, this is normal.

• Speckled yellowish leaves may indicate infestation by lace bugs feeding on sap. Look for dark specks of excrement (frass) on leaf undersides. Use insecticidal soap sprayed on both sides of leaves.

• Powdery white coating on leaves is likely powdery mildew fungus encouraged by wet foliage. Improve air circulation and use sulfur fungicide sprayed on both sides of leaves.

• Leggy growth results from insufficient pruning or too much shade. Renew vigour by pruning back older branches severely in early spring.

• Failure to bloom is often from inadequate sunlight. Move plants or selectively prune to open interior to more light. Ensure regular spring fertilization.

• Winter injury shows up in spring as dead branches and discoloured leaves. Protect plants from harsh winter winds and change mulch to prevent fungal issues on damaged bark.

The Natural Charm of Fall Azaleas

While some may prefer to keep azaleas as a spring classic, fall-blooming azaleas have an appeal all their own. Breeders have built on the natural beauty of native azaleas like the plumleaf azalea that gracefully bloom in fall. Modern varieties extend the season of color and interest into the autumn garden. With a bit of care to help them transition, azaleas can be a charming presence spring through fall. So don’t rule them out for brightening up your landscape, even as the leaves start to fall.