I am very new at this so I am probably the blind trying to lead you. I have about 60 Encore Azaleas that I planted in 2008. The first thing that happened was that I did not know how to plant them and I told Garrisons in Shreveport where I bought them. I built a bed with the dirt above the ground level about 6" so they would drain well. I planted them in June, I think, another problem, it was late in the year. The soil that I used to build up the bed was mostly Red River sand, but after about a month they looked like they were dying. I went back to Garrisons and asked why they were dying and did not get much help. They continued to look bad so I went back and finally got a little late advise. They told me to dig one up and see if the root ball was dry or wet. They should have been more helpful when I first planted them at about $22.00 each, on sale because it was late in the year, that was over $1300.00. I had been watering them with a soaker hose and a garden hose. The root balls were dry as a bone. What had happened was that the dirt was plenty moist, but the water was not transferring form the surrounding dirt to the root ball. I started watering them right on top of the root ball and most of them came out of it and lived. I lost about 4 out of the 60. They would not replace the dead ones. So be sure that they get water right down into the root ball and that they are well drained. The next year I bought another 15 that were smaller ones and planted around the base of two big Oak trees. After about a year they were dying, it seems that they just could not get enough plant food competing with the Oak trees. I lost 4 of them and now have the rest in pots till I replant them this Spring. I wished that I had found the forum earlier or made my purchases from a nursery that was more helpful. I really like the Encore Azaleas because some of them always seem to be blooming. I am still having trouble with them, they just don't seem healthy, but I am learning. I have a link to some pictures of them. I hope this helps a little, but some one on here will give you the answers that you need. Here is a link that might be useful: Encore Azaleas

Good morning, gracie01. That much sun is a problem where I live but in the northern states, they can be in more sun. Have you checked if the soil is getting enough moisture? You need to water them as soon as the soil feels dry or almost dry. Also, make sure that it was not planted deep or covered with extra topsoil above the rootball. Careful when checking... azalea roots are near the surface, in the top 3-4". Do you know the name of the variety that you planted? Luis

I have a row of 8 Limelights that are four years old now. I'm south of you and am in the midst of at least the second brutally hot dry summer since I put them in. All of these plants are in full sun with only a couple hours of sort of filtered light in the morning from a couple trees. Basically it's sunny all day where they are. I fertilize them with Osmacote to make sure they're fed well and have strength to withstand the heat. I try to keep them watered, especially when it's hot and dry. My plants started as one gallon plants and now they're all six feet tall (and some a little taller) so just hang in there--your yearling will take off. Last summer was tough--the leaves will wilt and drop off when it's hot. Just keep watering, especially if the pannicles start to wilt (that's when the plant is really suffering). All the leaves won't fall off and the blooms won't die. Limelights are tougher than other varieties. They can tolerate full sun. We're just having some unseasonably hot weather. If you're really nervous about the location, make sure there's slightly more sun than shade where you move the plant just to be sure it gets enough sun.

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.