Love spring-blooming azaleas? Meet their show-stopping relatives: Encore Azaleas. These extraordinary plants deliver waves of vibrant blooms from spring through fall. The performance begins with a spectacular spring show, followed by summer growth that sets new buds, leading to a second stunning display. As other plants wind down, Encore Azaleas continue their color show well into fall, pausing only for winter’s rest before starting their cycle again.
How to Care for Encore Azaleas
- Pruning: Encore Azaleas grow on average to 2.5 to 3 feet tall, with some varieties getting even larger. Regardless, all varieties can be trimmed to maintain a smaller size after their initial spring bloom.
- Light: Encores can grow in full sun or filtered shade. They prefer morning sun and too much shade will result in reduced blooms and poor performance.
- Soil: Does best in slightly acidic, well-drained soil with some organic matter added in.
- Water: Encore azaleas like to have slightly moist soil when first planted. Keep your Encores watered in the summer to keep the soil moist but not sopping wet. Once established (after the first year), Encores should not need regular watering unless there are periods of excessive drought.
- Fertilizer: Use Espoma Holly Tone or any azalea fertilizer in spring. Do not fertilize again until after August.
Encore Azalea Varieties Available at Meadows Farms
Remember, the azaleas listed below are just a selection of the varieties that Meadows Farms carries. Please call your local Meadows Farms for other varieties or special requests.