Autumn Debutante Encore Azalea
From PlantWiki
| Autumn Debutante Encore Azalea |
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| Species |
| Azalea |
History
It was a hot July day in the early 1980s when Buddy Lee first discovered a Rhododendron oldhamii in full bloom. The initial sighting of this rare Taiwanese summer-blooming azalea gave Lee his inspiration to create an azalea that could bloom more than once during the year and still be easy to care for.
Buddy Lee (Robert E. Lee) owned and operated Savannah Spring Nursery from 1973 through 1986, specializing in container-grown azaleas. It was during this time that he developed the multi-seasonal blooming Encore Azalea.
Buddy’s perseverance has spawned numerous varieties of Encore Azaleas, which vary in size and habit. [[Encore Azalea|Encore Azaleas] bloom through three seasons during the year, and are respected for their cold/heat hardiness and higher resistance to disease and pests.
Characteristics
The Autumn Debutante Encore Azalea grows to a moderate mature size of 4’ tall and 4’ wide with strikingly big and broad 3” blooms and leaves. The luster of the dark green leaves contrasts well with the delicate, light pink flowers, making a beautiful landscape statement.
The Autumn Debutante Encore Azalea thrives in slightly acidic (pH Preference 5.5 - 6.5), well-drained soil and prefers slight shade to full sunlight for about 4-6 hours per day. While many gardeners will choose to plant this azalea in their gardens, the Autumn Debutante will also flourish in patio pots.
Uses
The Autumn Debutante can be used in border or container plantings. It can also be incorporated into mass plantings with other Encore azaleas. It has been known to attract butterflies to the homeowner’s garden. The Autumn Debutante can also function as a specimen plant or focal point, frame for a focal point, setting around a tree or among groups of trees, or in foundation plantings. It can be placed in borders and beds, mulch islands, rock gardens, in woodland settings and along paths and driveways. Because of their varied characteristics of plant size, forms, flower colors and bloom times Encore Azaleas are perhaps one of the more versatile shrubs around.