Autumn Starburst Encore Azalea

Rhododendron hybrid ‘Robleze’ PPAF

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-10 Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 3′

Width at Maturity: 3.5′

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

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

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: White with Coral Pink stripes!

Flower Size: Medium, 2.5″

Flowering Period: Mid-Spring, Late Summer, Early Fall, Mid-Fall

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Dark Green

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 (the deer rarely touch ours), 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.

One of the new introductions to the Encore Azalea family, Autumn Starburst features an abundance of dazzling bicolor white flowers with a coral-pink stripe bursting from the center and down the middle of each petal. The 2.5 to 3 inch diameter flowers stand out remarkably well against the 3 feet tall by 3.5 feet wide mound of deep green evergreen foliage. Butterflies love the flowers, and blooming branches serve very well for cutting to create stunning indoor floral arrangements.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing in a rounded mound to 3 feet tall and 3.5 feet wide, the Autumn Starburst Encore Azalea is ideal for is in groupings, mass plantings, low 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 along woodland borders. A fine addition to azalea and rhododendron gardens, sunny woodland borders, and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 3 feet apart for solid hedges; 6 feet or more apart for space between plants

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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My plants arrived in excellent condition.
They are in the ground now and flourishing. Can hardly wait for the first blooms to appear.————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

So far the plants are doing great. I have never ordered plants online before. They arrived in wonderful condition. They were packed well for shipping and arrived very healthy.——————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Our 6-pack arrived promptly and in great shape. We couldn’t wait to see them and they were all beautiful. We could not plant them for 3 days because we had out of state company, so we placed them in a partial shade area together and watered them very day. We prepared our soil as recommended. They have now been in the ground and thriving for over a week. Very happy with the plants, the price and the FREE shipping!—————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review and the kind words! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG