How to Plant Encore Azaleas - Expert Tips from HortTube's Jim Putnam

[@michaelames3283]

In zone 8 in full sun the 5 I bought just haven’t done any good for this the third year. They have been properly planted by an excellent Landscaper, watered properly, and Feritizer correctly. Help

[@Encoreazalea]

We'd love to help; can you send us photos of them via email to [e-mail]?

[@susandahlstrom2939]

I just moved to Fairhope, AL from the Midwest and not so familiar with this Zone plantings, but Azaelas were recommended, I planted 12 Encore Azaleas in a front yard bed. They look horrible. Fairhope received a tremendous amount of rain, it rains every day in the summer. I2 plants have died and the rest have brown and yellow leaves and Wonder if they have root rot. Can I save these? I put pine bark mulch in the planting hole but wonder if I did not plant the root ball too low. I appreciate any help you can offer.

[@Encoreazalea]

It does sound like they may have been planted too low. Photos would help us be able to tell though. Please do email us at [e-mail]. Thank you!

[@una8567]

I sure hope Encore can help you, they are absolutely the best. I absolutely love Encore Azaleas. Both my neighbor & I have them. A few years ago, he was about to throw his out bcos they were not flowering, but he had the opposite problem than you do, he was not watering them at all. As soon as they began getting water they have kept blooming profusely like magic. I bought a small Chiffon a few years ago and although it is hasn't grown very tall, it flowers abundantly all the time. It is an absolute delight, bcos I can forget it and simply enjoy the flowers. I just bought 2 Autumn Fires today and I am looking forward to planting them as soon as it rains again to replace a beautiful Shasta daisy which was so strong and healthy, that I had to divide it. Unfortunately, the rabbits got to it in Summer 2021and completely destroyed it, along with my Black-eyed Susan's, Oriental and Asiatic lilies. BTW, I too moved to AL from the Midwest.

[@susandahlstrom2939]

​@@una8567 Thanks for your reply. Came from Wisconsin, zone 4, which is a big difference from AL. Big learning curve, but I will keep reading!! I’m going to raise the plants out of the ground a few inches and hope that will help with the drainage, and some pine bark soil conditioner.

[@michele2609]

I have several encore azaleas to plant soon, and I've read so much conflicting advice! It looks like you just mixed in a bit of pine bark soil conditioner in with the existing soil and packed that around the azalea. But I've also read that I need to create an ericaceous soil with 50% peat moss, then a 50% mixture of perlite/compost/garden soil/sand. Is all that really necessary? I do have clay soils. Or will I be fine if I just add some pine bar soil conditioner in with the existing soil? Thanks!

[@Encoreazalea]

Here's a helpful video that specifically addresses clay soil: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZCcfIBolLCqppI

[@michele2609]

@@Encoreazalea Thank you! My soil looks exactly like yours. I'll look for some pine bark soil conditioner!

[@shellybeatty9201]

I have my encore azaleas in pots. We are in DFW area and they get sun for several hours in the in the morning. They rarely bloom. What am I doing wrong?

[@Encoreazalea]

Hi Shelly, they may need more sun. We usually suggest 4-6 hours of sun for optimal blooms. Can they be moved to location with more sun? Keep us posted!