Plant field guide
Azalea (Encore Autumn Empress)
Encore Azalea with large, showy dark pink to magenta semi-double flowers. Blooms spring, summer, and fall for continuous color. Dense, mounding habit makes it excellent for mass plantings.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Rhododendron 'Conlee'
- Sun
- partial shade
- Water
- moderate
- Height
- 36 in (91 cm) – 48 in (122 cm)
- Spread
- 36 in (91 cm) – 48 in (122 cm)
- Spacing
- Not recorded
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 6–9; average annual extreme minimum from -10°F (-23.3°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: April, May.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Three-season bloom. Needs acidic soil with good drainage. Mulch heavily with pine products. More sun tolerant than traditional azaleas.
Pruning
Prune after first spring flush. Light shaping only. Don't prune after July.
Fertilizer
Azalea/Rhododendron fertilizer (acidic)
After spring bloom
Mulch
2-3 inches of pine bark or pine straw.