US: Encore Azalea introduces re-blooming azalea Autumn Bonfire
Autumn Bonfire Encore Azalea provides enduring color all season. The ruffled petals providing striking contrast against bright evergreen foliage that keeps plants shining through the winter months.
“This seedling stood out among the others in my trials,” said Robert Lee, the plant breeder who developed Encore Azaleas, including Autumn Bonfire. “The vibrant flower color and bright foliage stand out significantly from a distance.”
Autumn Bonfire comes from a breeding program to select more red color in the blooms, but foliage is also very important Lee said. “When I breed azaleas I look for compactness and good form. Autumn Bonfire is very compact but it also grows well and looks healthy.”
Autumn Bonfire is a dwarf variety of azalea growing in a tidy three-foot mound. Encore Azaleas require little maintenance and are among the most cold-tolerant of azaleas.
In his breeding programs, Lee looks for traits that make azaleas easy to grow and maintain. “Our plants are evaluated for several years,” said Lee. “I look for plants that are easy to establish in the landscape and tolerate a range of environmental stresses.”
Sun tolerance is one of the traits that sets Encore apart from other azaleas. Another is repeat blooming. In 1996, Encore Azalea transformed the beloved Southern classic when it introduced re-blooming azaleas that flower in spring, summer, and fall.
Like other members of the collection, Autumn Bonfire is a repeat bloomer. “Autumn Bonfire is more free-blooming,” Lee said. “In the right location it will readily re-bloom.”
The right location includes four to six hours of direct morning sunlight or bright shade. While Encore Azaleas are unique in their tolerance of sunny conditions, plants do benefit from protection against hot afternoon sun.
With the introduction of Autumn Bonfire, the Encore Azaleas family has grown to include 31 varieties flowering in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. This diversity in color is one of the reasons Lee enjoys working with azaleas. “There is a great variety of color combinations that can be bred into the blooms.”
For more information:
www.encoreazalea.com
plantdevelopment.com