Autumn Amethyst Encore Azalea

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

4 Feet

Mature Spread

4 Feet

Growing Zones

6 to 10

Calling all purple lovers: have we got a shrub for you! This little gem explodes into a cloud of 2-inch single lavender blooms in spring that any purple fanatic craves in their garden. Then, after a short rest, it continues blooming off and on throughout summer and fall. But that’s not the end of its purple wonderfulness; throughout winter it remains robed in evergreen foliage that turns a rich bronzy-purple color as temperatures plunge. Place it alone or in a cluster where you can take advantage of its all-season interest, either near a window or along a walkway. Its dwarf size and cold hardiness also make it one of the best in the Encore® Azalea line for using in containers. It looks especially fantastic in black, white or gray containers flanking an entryway.

You can plant Autumn Amethyst in sun or shade and its soft color makes it well suited to mixing with other plants in part sun or dappled shade. Play up the purple color with hostas that bloom in white and purple, and hydrangeas and ferns also make great companions. For sunnier locations, pair it with spring-blooming peonies, iris and daffodils. Later in the season, its lavender flowers complement coneflowers, daisies, daylilies and phlox.

Autumn Amethyst Encore Azalea Care

Site azaleas in a garden area that is part shade to full sun. They dislike waterlogged soil, so make sure the soil drains well. The planting hole should be dug so that it is twice as wide and no deeper than the root ball. If you have average garden soil, there is no need to amend the soil you use as backfill. Water well after planting, and continue to do so while the plant is getting established. Keep an eye on it during dry spells the first year and water if rainfall does not provide one inch per week. A light mulch applied at the base of the plant helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Any trimming can be done after spring blooming is finished. Apply a granular fertilizer for acid-loving plants in early spring to enhance blooming.

Autumn Amethyst Encore Azalea Spacing

The stature and habit of this 4x4-foot upright mounding shrub fits in just about anywhere. If planting it alone, give it 2.5 feet on all sides so it has room to fill in. If you are planting a swath of these shrubs (which is effective as a foundation planting under windows or mature trees), you can space a little tighter, about 2 feet center-on-center. For container plantings, be sure the pot has a minimum opening of 16 inches and holds several gallons of potting soil. If the container is light, anchor it with bricks or stones in the bottom so it won’t tip over.