skip to main content

garden Ask The Yard Doctor Azalea & Rhododendron

Encore Azalea is shriveling!

1818 Federal (7bEC)

4 years ago

help! This Encore Azalea is planted in a set of 3 getting afternoon sun. (Sorry - my yard is nearly a full sun yard). Zone7b VA. Does this look like sunscorch? Fertilizer burn? They were planted August 2018; have not bloomed this year. I HollyToned them this Spring, then again early July. Then THIS

Any revival success stories to share? plant Magic?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

luis_pr
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
In the lower (warmer) half of the US, Encore Azaleas should get afternoon/evening shade in the Summer. In my area for example, I have them in one of these locations: morning sun only (afternoon and evening shade); dappled sun; "bright" shade. To help, you may want to put an umbrella on top to provide shade during the afternoons and consider .

I would hate to transplant it now though (because we are in the middle of the summer). It is hot so keep the soil as evenly moist as you can, use an umbrella/outside chair/anything else to provide afternoon shade, keep it well mulched to minimize moisture evaporation and transplant it when temps moderate in the Fall.

To know when to water, use the finger method: insert a finger into the soil to a depth of 4" and water if the soil feels dry or almost dry. A gallon of water is good starting point in Spring (reduce or add depending on your weather and soil). Increase the amt of water once temps are regularly above 85F. Increase again if they get into the upper 90s. Then similarly reduce the amt of water back down as temps regularly stay below the upper 90s or below 85F. In the Fall and Winter, I reduce waterings to weekly or every two weeks depending on soil conditions (use the finger method to see if the soil needs water) and local rains. Azalea roots are in the top 4" (approx) so keep this area moist, not soggy, not dry.

Info on watering/planting/etc:

https://www.encoreazalea.com/gardening/plant-care/planting-encore-azaleas
1818 Federal (7bEC)
Original Author
4 years ago
@luis_pr, you're a lifesaver! i mean "Encore Azalea saver". ive been using lawn chairs for shade; and i added 2 " of mulch, after checking toe ensure soil was tappred compactly.

Fingers crossed: 1 of the 3 is still green. none have bloomed. We will see!
Related Discussions
Encore azaleas not thriving--suggestions?
Q
Comments (37)
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.
...See More
Did I get the wrong Encore azalea?
Q
Comments (5)
There is certainly an advantage to the suggestion of buying plants only when they are blooming. I am glad that HD made you an acceptable offer and am glad that the plant is a rebloomer. I once bought a rose that blooms only once a year (so it is not a rebloomer) and I purchased it while it was not blooming. Weeeell, I had the same issue as you did but the nursery did nothing because I did not contact them "early enough" (I had to wait until Spring of the next year to see that the blooms were the wrong color). Not even a discount on future purchases. Oh well. Live and learn... I learned to be more cautious with shrubs that bloom only once a year or that are not blooming until after the plant nursery's warranty expires. Enjoy your Rouges and Sunsets. I have an Autumn Royalty. I considered some of the orange-y ones but had a hard time finding a good spot for the orange blooms, which is how I ended with AR instead.
...See More
Encore azalea type question
Q
Comments (2)
Are there two different colored flowers emerging from the same plant (which is what it looks like)? If so, check out 'Autumn Twist', which often throws solid purple flowers together with the paler, bicolored pinks.
...See More
Azalea(encore) Rhody(pjm elite) issues...please help!
Q
Comments (10)
Yes you made mistakes. I have a collection of rhodies that has been praised for their health and I have never fertilized a nursery bought plant in the first couple years, at least. They have very low fertility requirements. Indeed, it could well have made them more susceptible to root rot; given that you are also planting encore azaleas, heavily marketed in the SE US, I'm going to surmise you are somewhere south of the Mason-Dixon where traditional rhodie varieties including the northeastern-bred lepidotes like PJM become difficult. You really need to state roughly where you are. Here's some good advice to newbies: if you see in your area, large, mature examples of something you are buying at a big box store or nursery, there's a good chance it will do well. If you don't, there's a good chance it won't. Consider I-95 corridor elevation under 500': If you live on the mainline of Philly, every 4th house will have an ironclad rhodie reaching to the second story windows. If you're in Richmond, VA, you are going to see a few here and there. South of that...I myself have never seen one but I know there are people down there who do collect them but those are enthusiasts willing to fuss over them. I'm not counting the Southgate/hyperythrum hybrids, which are in my opinion the only elepidote rhodies that non-specialists should be planting south of the Mason-Dixon and at low elevation. Or the special lepidotes bred to do well there, there are a couple but their name escapes me, one was bred by the Dodds.
...See More
1818 Federal (7bEC)
Original Author
4 years ago
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>sorry for my typos!
1818 Federal (7bEC)
Original Author
4 years ago
luis_pr - i moved the remaining Encore to more shade (next to hosta). even though i took thecrisk mid-summer, it is stable. ..no more deterioration . thanks again!
luis_pr
4 years ago
Sounds great, 1818 Federal!

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Pacific Northwest Gardener's August Checklist

By Genevieve Schmidt

Deadheading perennials, cutting raspberry canes and preparing for the onion harvest keeps Northwest gardeners busy in August

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Top Native Plants for the U.S. Southeast

By Falon Mihalic

For a low-maintenance and wildlife-friendly landscape, use Southern natives that withstand heat and humidity

FLOWERS Why You Should Give Hydrangeas a Place in Your Yard

By Laura Gaskill

The exuberant mop-headed beauties evoke dreams of an endless summer by the sea

GARDENING GUIDES Common Myths That May Be Hurting Your Garden

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Discover the truth about fertilizer, soil, staking and more to keep your plants healthy and happy

GARDENING GUIDES Houzz Call: What’s Your Favorite Backyard Beauty?

By Stacy Briscoe

The simple, honest daisy is this writer’s go-to garden flower. We want to hear which plant, flowering or otherwise, gives you special joy

GARDENING GUIDES Zen Weeding: The Smart Way to Weed Your Garden

By Susan J Tweit

Be mindful about keeping weeds from taking hold in your yard by knowing when and how to get rid of each type

GARDENING GUIDES How to Deadhead Roses and Other Garden Favorites

By Claudia De Yong Garden Design

Follow this basic guide and learn how to properly deadhead roses and other flowers

SUMMER GARDENING 10 Perennials to Extend Your Garden's Summer Color

By LuAnn Brandsen

Revive summer-weary gardens with outstanding late bloomers such as toad lily, Russian sage, blanket flower and more

FLOWERS 9 Plants That Channel Pantone’s Color of 2014

Try these pinkish-purple wonders to be right on trend — or just for their own captivating beauty

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 8 Ways to Grow More Plants in Small Spaces

By Falon Mihalic

Use plants to bring your pocket garden to life

Sponsored

Fresh Pointe Studio

4 Reviews

Industry Leading Interior Designers & Decorators | Delaware County, OH

More Discussions

Are my newly viburnums dead or dying?

3

Can I recover the structure of this tree?

0

Cement or pavers- which is better?

9

This is invading my lawn. What is it? How do I get rid of it?

1