Encore Azaleas
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- July
- 17
Most azaleas burst into bloom for a two- to three-week show in mid-spring — and then that’s it for the year.
But a brand of azaleas called Encore promises a three-season show of flowers. In spring, they bloom just like other azaleas.
Encore ‘Autumn Belle’:
(photos from Encore)
After the evergreen shrubs drop this first set of petals, new shoots emerge and set buds for a mid-summer show. A fall show completes the cycle.
‘Autumn Chifffon’:
So far, 23 varieties of Encore azaleas, with a wide choice of colors and growth habit, have been brought into the nursery trade. All were developed by plant breeder and horticulturalist Robert E. “Buddy” Lee. The Azalea Society of America awarded him its Distinguished Service Award in 2007.
Encore azaleas are only cold hardy to USDA Zone 6, so you may need to plant them in a very protected spot if you garden north of central Westchester. Or you could try them in a container that can overwinter indoors or in the basement or garage.
‘Autumn Twist’:
Encore azaleas need just a light pruning from time to time to maintain the shape of the shrubs. Avoid pruning before a bloom period so you don’t snip off new buds.
For more information, including retail locations, visit encoreazalea.com.
This entry was posted
on Friday, July 17th, 2009 at 1:27 pm by Bill Cary.
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Bill Cary grew up in Louisville, Ky. His gardening was limited to growing parsley and impatiens on the windowsill of Manhattan walkups until the mid-1990s when he bought a rundown old chicken farm on 8 acres in the Hudson Valley. Now he spends his weekends chasing deer, hacking away at invasive shrubs and vines and wondering why he doesn`t have more meadow and less lawn.
