Autumn Monarch Encore Azalea

Rhododendron hybrid ‘Conleo’ PP11640

Plant Details

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

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 5′

Width at Maturity: 4′

Spacing: 3-3.5′ apart for solid hedge; 7’+ apart for space between plants

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

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: Orange-Salmon

Flower Size: Large, 2.5″

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 Monarch Encore Azalea produces an abundance of large, 2.5-inch diameter showy salmon-orange blooms flecked with red in spring, summer, and fall against a backdrop of light green evergreen foliage. The flowers are attractive to butterflies.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide, Autumn Monarch 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 in woodland borders. Butterflies love the flowers, and blooming branches serve very well for cutting to create stunning indoor floral arrangements.

Suggested Spacing: 3-3.5 feet apart for solid hedge; 7 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

Planting Encore Azaleas
Pruning Encore Azaleas

Fertilizing Encore Azaleas
Watering Encore Azaleas
The Most Cold Tolerant Encore Azaleas

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I was very pleased with the selection of azaleas– more variety than anyplace else I looked. My plants were well packed and arrived within 2-3 days. They were still moist when they arrived and were in good shape. The plants were large and well established. I’ve planted them and they seem to be doing well.——————————————-Hi Katie, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Autumn Monarch Encore Azalea. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

I was a little nervous ordering a plant through the mail, but it arrived quickly and the plant was in great shape. I did lose the blooms. The Azalea itself is very healthy and I am looking forward to the next bloom. Thanks Wilson Bros.—————————WBG Reply: Hi Annette, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Autumn Monarch Encore Azalea. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

My azalea arrived well packaged and in great condition. I had some flowers and a lot of new growth. Just planted so hoping for the best.————————–WBG Reply: Hi Laurie, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Autumn Monarch Encore Azalea. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

The plant arrived in excellent condition and was so well packaged. I couldn’t plant it right away, but it held up just fine. I’m very pleased with both the service and the product. Thanks! —————————— WBG Reply: Hi Joan – Thanks so much for your review of the Autumn Monarch Encore Azalea and we hope you enjoy it for many years to come. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

The Autumn Monarch azalea was a healthy looking plant. Wilson Bros, provided easy ordering, fast shipping and excellent follow up on my order. After several separate orders of plants, I can continue to recommend Wilson Bros for online purchase of plants. A plus factor is the wide selection of plants available that I can’t get locally. —————- WBG Reply: Hi Anthon – We certainly appreciate all the business and your review of the Autumn Monarch Encore Azalea you purchased from us. You might be happy to know that we’re greatly expanding our selection of azaleas and other plants for 2019…some real unique and special varieties. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can do for you….we are very happy to serve you! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

Great Experience, these were out of stock, put myself on the notify list and got an email when they were available. Ordered four and they were shipped at the proper time for immediate planting. They were very well packaged and looked excellent when I removed them from the boxes. Planted them in the ground and they all are doing very well. Very happy with this purchase. ——————- WBG Reply: Hi Dave – Thanks for taking the time to provide your review of the Autumn Monarch Encore Azaleas. Glad to hear they’re doing very well after planting and hope you enjoy them for years to come. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can do for you. – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens