With a temperature range that careens by over 100 degrees each year, Oklahoma City can be one tough city to garden in. For garden guru Linda Vater, whose lavish landscapes and captivating containers have enchanted millions, her city’s tempestuous temperatures make for an interesting challenge! That’s why Linda consistently relies on Encore® Azaleas as bountifully blooming, problem-solving plants.
Over the years, Linda has relied on her many Encore Azaleas to thrive throughout the intense summer heat and the arctic chill of her Zone 7 winters. Many Encore varieties are frost tolerant to Zone 6, and they thrive even in the heat of Zone 10, putting on impressive growth year after year. Linda frequently uses Encore Azaleas as her landscape go-to, a cut flower favorite, and for year-round interest with their lush evergreen foliage.
Unlike traditional azaleas, Encores rebloom for three seasons and are easy to maintain; the volume and timing of their blooms has cemented their status as Linda’s number one pick. She’s got a few tips to ensure that your Encore® Azaleas thrive:
Over the years, Linda has relied on her many Encore Azaleas to thrive throughout the intense summer heat and the arctic chill of her Zone 7 winters. Many Encore varieties are frost tolerant to Zone 6, and they thrive even in the heat of Zone 10, putting on impressive growth year after year. Linda frequently uses Encore Azaleas as her landscape go-to, a cut flower favorite, and for year-round interest with their lush evergreen foliage.
Here are some notes on her favorite varieties:
• Autumn Fire® – As a dwarf azalea variety, it’s a star in containers with semi-double blooms in radiant red.
• Autumn Coral® –Perfect as a vibrantly-hued mounded groundcover, pair with Akita Dahlias for a summer show.
• Autumn Princess® – A lovely color echo for the pink geraniums Linda enjoys, hummingbirds love this shade, too!
Design tips from Linda:
• Encores are here for the long haul and will provide four seasons of interest. Plant en masse for color instead of annuals that you must replant each season.
• If you want an evergreen plant trio that will add tons of drama to the landscape with easy care, try adding ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia and Purple Daydream® Dwarf Loropetalum. Anchor the trio with an Encore Azalea in your favorite color—with 33 varieties to choose from, it’s easy to create a look that’s all your own!
Unlike traditional azaleas, Encores rebloom for three seasons and are easy to maintain; the volume and timing of their blooms has cemented their status as Linda’s number one pick. She’s got a few tips to ensure that your Encore® Azaleas thrive:
• Azaleas love acidic soil – use pecan hulls, pine bark mulch, or pine straw.
• Ensure that your Encore® Azaleas have good drainage.
• To maximize blooms, plant your Encores in an area that receives at least 4 – 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Morning sun or highly dappled shade is preferable in warmer climates. If necessary, consider thinning out a tree canopy to let more sunlight filter in.
• Prune your Encore Azaleas after flowering to encourage them to put out new buds.
• Fertilize for fall bloom (no later than) 2 months before the earliest frost date in your region.
And remember Linda’s most important tip: caring for Encore® Azaleas in the landscape is easy; the only hard part is choosing your favorite bloom color!
