The Encores aren't continuously blooming, it's more like three times per year. Like traditional azaleas, they begin by blooming each spring. Once this initial blooming ends, new shoots begin to grow and set buds. Then blooms emerge again in mid-summer, then early Fall until first frost. Yours may not bloom to their full potential with just 2 1/2 hours of sun. Both drought and soggy roots could cause yellowing leaves and leaf drop. You'll need to check the soil near your plants, when it's dry to a depth of a few inches - provide water. I have a clay base too, wind, but much less heat and I water slowly and thoroughly every 7 - 10 days in months we don't have rain, for established plants.

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Encores do require and will tolerate alot more sun than the traditional azaleas that bloom but once a year. I have had mine for six years now. They get full morning sun, afternoon shade. You need to know that mine, at least, bloom far less in the spring than in the late summer/autumn season. So much less, in fact, that I added some traditional azaleas to my landscape because, to me, spring means azaleas, and the Encores weren't doing it. That being said, they more than make up for it with their late blooms that I adore. Last year, they bloomed heavily from early August until our first killing frost in late November. You can't say that about very many shrubs. I have found that mine like a cup or so of Holly Tone in the spring right after they bloom. I rather think they might like another in the fall, but I have never been able to find out how to time that. I don't want to fertilize at the wrong time and cause them to lose their bloom buds. Still, it seems logical that a late feeding might help the spring show to be better. Anyone know?

It's interesting how often this thread re-surfaces. I think it's a good indicator that we all love the idea of Encore azaleas, but are still trying to figure out how to grow them well. Over the years, I have done a fair amount of reading on the internet on these plants. One interesting thing to know is that each variety is its own deal. These are not like people, who have similar characteristics to their mama, daddy, grandma, etc. Each shrub variety is the product of its own individual cross, and so, each variety can be expected to behave more than somewhat differently from the others. If I were going shopping for Encores, I would look at, first, the size plant I want, as this varies greatly, and second, at the foliage. Encore foliage ranges from pitiful looking, to ho hum, to really good looking, and this is definitely specific to the variety. Finally, I would consider color. They're all pretty, and short of putting a screaming pink in front of an orange brick house, you're likely to enjoy nearly any bloom. Evelyn, lots of azaleas have beautifully colored leaves throughout the cold months, including a few of the encores. I now grow two kinds, and have decided that these plants truly do need alot of sun. The ones on the north side of my house these past two years are not thriving. They get only about 2 hours of direct sun and then bright light the rest of the day. Definitely not enough. They'll be moved come spring. As I have queried for years, I ask once more: has anyone come upon a timing schedule for fertilization that gives good spring AND fall bloom? I have never found any statement of this on the web, and would love to know.