Encore Autumn Rouge	Encore Autumn Cheer	Encore Autumn Embers

Azaleas

Azaleas have always been a highlight of spring gardens, especially in the Southeast where the soil is acidic and the winters are fairly mild. Azaleas' vibrantly colored flowers are a sight to behold. Only now, thanks to breeding work by Robert Lee of Independence, La., azaleas can be the highlight of the garden in spring and fall. Lee developed the Encore line of reblooming azaleas, which are marketed by Flowerwood Nursery in Mobile, Ala., and will be available on a widescale basis in fall 1998. After showing good results in garden trials, Flowerwood test-marketed the plants on a limited basis this year in Georgia, Texas and Louisiana. Pike Family Nurseries, a chain of 25 Atlanta-area garden centers, sold 50,000 this fall. Some Encore azaleas will rebloom starting in summer and others in fall. Some hold their blossoms until first frost. They are evergreen, considered hardy to at least USDA Hardiness Zone 7. They prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil and filtered shade or afternoon shade. Encore Autumn Rouge Botanical name: Rhododendron 'Conlea.' Description: Semi-double, strong-pink flowers. Upright form that blooms early July through fall. Encore Autumn Cheer Botanical name: Rhododendron 'Conlef.' Description: Flowers are deep-pink and growth habit is the most compact. It blooms from early August through Fall. Encore Autumn Embers Botanical name: Rhododendron 'Conleb.' Description: Single and semi-double, orange-red flowers. Low spreading form that has profuse flowers from early July through fall. Encore Autumn Amethyst Botanical name: Rhododendron 'Conlee.' Description: Soft-purple flowers with a somewhat dense and somewhat spreading habit. Considered the hardiest member of the series. Foliage is rough and has a dark cast in winter. Encore Autumn Royalty Botanical name: Rhododendron 'Conlec.' Description: Large, single, rich-purple flowers. Upright, globose form that blooms late July to frost. Encore Autumn Coral Botanical name: Rhododendron 'Conled.' Description: Salmon-pink, mid-sized flowers with fuchsia flecking. Mounding form that blooms abundantly from July through fall. For more: Flowerwood Nursery Inc., 6470 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, AL 36605-9679; (334) 443-6540; fax (334) 443-2011. Pike Family Nurseries, 3935 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30345; (404) 633-2633; fax (404) 636-5709.

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