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Hybrid azaleas provide lots of long-lasting color

By JANE WEBER
Published December 18, 2006

All gardeners want a yard full of flowers. Lots of gorgeous blooms in masses of colorful drifts that last a long time. Not a dozen cut roses or a seasonal poinsettia that is covered for 60 dark, 14-hour nights to force it to bloom for a month then has to be discarded after a freeze kills it in my Zone 9 garden. Gardeners covet that look of Rainbow Springs State Park in February, when azaleas peak. For the holidays, I wish for color that lasts.

Hybrid azaleas, Rhododendron species, need humus-rich, well-drained acidic soil. No problem there. The deep, coarse sand of this part of the Brooksville Ridge averages a pH of about 5. It's too well-drained, so for 10 years I have been amending with the rich, fine mulch (pH of 5.5) composted at Central Landfill on State Road 44 and paid by our tax dollars. Now my deep topsoil is dark brown and holds moisture.

All shallow-rooted azaleas, except the Red Ruffle hybrid, need afternoon shade for protection from the scorching summer sun. Under the tree canopy is the perfect habitat. Evergreen shrubs make a privacy screen while providing cover and nest sites for birds and wildlife. Flowers give pollen to insects and nectar to butterflies.

The Rhododendron genus has more than 800 species and thousands of hybrid cultivars. The latest frost-hardy, evergreen series suitable for Citrus County is "Encore" azalea, developed over 15 years by plant breeder Robert E. "Buddy" Lee of Independence, La.

Patented, trademarked and marketed since 1997 by Plant Development Services Inc. in Alabama, Encores are propagated in Florida under strict regulations. Royalties are paid to the patent holder. The expense is well worthwhile as Encore blooms profusely in spring, summer and fall.

There are 23 fantastic colors - variegated, solid, striped and flecked - in double, semidouble and single flowers. Thirteen varieties are available, costing about $20 for a 10-inch pot and half that for a large plant in a 6-inch purple pot.

Each has a listed mature height, spread and bloom size. Encores never need pruning, but if you must clip off a few errant shoots, do it once a year after spring blooming. Think first. Then plant your Encore where it can grow to maturity while you enjoy the display.

Autumn Twist (Plant Patent No. 12133) has a unique purple striped bloom combined with pale pink 3 inches across. Completely purple flowers will appear among the masses of color. Fast growing to 4.5 feet high by 4 feet wide in about five years, Twist has dark evergreen foliage to provide that taller privacy screen needed between houses. My Twist has been in flower since August.

Of similar robust, upright growth, Autumn Royalty (PP No. 10580) has larger, 3.5-inch-diameter rich purple, solid color, single flowers similar to the old purple formosa azalea but with three seasons of bloom.

If you need an Encore that grows 3.5 feet tall by 3 feet wide, Autumn Princess (PP No. 12142) has striking 2-inch double flowers of pink salmon. If winter is particularly cold, Princess's foliage may turn a gorgeous burgundy hue. It makes a lovely specimen plant if given room to grow.

Deep red-pink, semidouble 2-inch blooms of Autumn Rouge (PP No. 10438) contrast with dense dark green leaves. It makes a wonderful background or hedge plant.

"Be careful what you wish for," they say. I now own the gardener's dream.

Masses of flowers in hundreds of pots bloom wherever I wander among the planting beds. Call it holiday spirit or impulse buying, this gardener's holiday wish came true and will be a fantastic floral delight for years to come. Now I need some elves or friends to adopt some Encore azaleas and help with the planting.

Editor's note: This weekly article is provided by Jane Weber, professional gardener, grower, consultant, designer and environmentalist. Visit her Certified Florida Yard and Backyard Wildlife Habitat, 5019 W Stargazer Lane, Dunnellon. Call 465-0649.

[Last modified December 17, 2006, 20:27:23]