Autumn Embers Encore Azalea
From PlantWiki
| Autumn Embers Encore Azalea |
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| Species |
| Azalea |
History
Robert E. "Buddy" Lee of Independence, Louisiana created the Encore Azaleas by breeding Taiwanese summer blooming azaleas (Rhododendron oldhamii), with the traditional spring-blooming azaleas with which most gardeners are familiar. Buddy first envisioned the twice-blooming bushes in the early 1980s.
Lee offers up more than 30 years' experience in nursery management, breeding, propagation and new plant development. He is active in numerous organizations, including the Azalea Society of America, the International Plant Propagators Society, and the Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association.
Characteristics
One of the most admired varieties, Autumn Embers' deep orange-red blooms make a colorful statement in any landscape. Its growth habit is low, spreading and dense. The foliage is a lush dark green and Autumn Embers produces unbelievable quantities of fall flowers.
This azalea shrub grows 3’ high and 4’ wide and thrives in slightly acidic, well drained soil. Autumn Embers loves part to full sun for approximately 4-6 hours per day. Morning sun and afternoon shade is the best combination for this azalea.
Autumn Embers Encore Azalea blooms in the spring like traditional azaleas, but then it keeps flowering through the summer, exploding with buds blooming for weeks or even months at a time. But spring isn't the only true blooming season - when September comes, this crowd pleasing azalea presents its most brilliant display, surging with soft blooms of deep orange- red all the way up until the first frost arrives.
Uses
Autumn Embers Encore Azalea works well in mass or drift plantings under mixed pine and hardwood stands. Space the plants on-center, at a distance equal to their mature spread, to achieve a good blending of forms. They look best in their natural growth habit, so pruning shouldn’t be necessary. If you do prune, do so after the spring blooming period. Any later and you risk removing summer and fall buds. This azalea works well in containers or patio pots.
Autumn Embers Encore Azalea can be an interesting focal point in any landscape or part of a foundation planting. Where ever the homeowner decides to put this shrub, it is sure to be a winner in any yard.