Greenscape Gardens Green Blog

ENCORE AZALEAS REPEAT BLOOMING AZALEAS

It must be a typographical error. Does he really mean reblooming azaleas? Azaleas have always been a highlight of spring gardens, especially in the St. Louis area. Its nature’s way of saying that SPRING IS HERE. The vibrant colors of azaleas are a sight to behold PLUS their evergreen qualities make them a necessity in every garden.

Now, thanks to breeding work by Robert Lee of Independence, La., azaleas can be the highlight of the garden in spring and fall. Lee developed the Encore line of reblooming azaleas, which will be available again at Greenscape Gardens.

After showing good results in garden trials, Greenscape Gardens test-marketed the plants on a limited basis in the fall of 2004. We have planted the Encore Azaleas at the garden center in the Barrett Station shade garden and our farm in Sullivan, Missouri.

Some Encore azaleas will rebloom starting in summer and others in fall. Some hold their blossoms until first frost. They are evergreen and even show some fall leaf color. They prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil and filtered shade or afternoon shade.
Just keep in mind the second and third bloomings are not as profuse as the early spring flowering.

Please refer to our Azalea and Rhododendron Guide for additional information concerning planting and care.

Encore Autumn Rouge
Botanical name: Rhododendron 'Conlea.'
Description: Semi-double, strong-pink flowers. Upright form that blooms in early July through fall.

Encore Autumn Cheer
Botanical name: Rhododendron 'Conlef.'
Description: Flowers are deep-pink and growth habit is the most compact. It blooms from early August through fall.

Encore Autumn Embers
Botanical name: Rhododendron 'Conleb.'
Description: Single and semi-double, orange-red flowers. Low spreading form that has profuse flowers from early July through fall.

Encore Autumn Amethyst
Botanical name: Rhododendron 'Conlee.'
Description: Soft-purple flowers with a somewhat dense and somewhat spreading habit. Considered the hardiest member of the series. Foliage is rough and has a dark cast in winter.

Encore Autumn Royalty
Botanical name: Rhododendron 'Conlec.'
Description: Large, single, rich-purple flowers. Upright, globose form that blooms late July to frost.

Encore Autumn Coral
Botanical name: Rhododendron 'Conled.'
Description: Salmon-pink, mid-sized flowers with fuchsia flecking. Mounding form that blooms abundantly from July through fall.

These varieties will all be available but some may be in limited quantities. Greenscape Gardens Encore availability.