When you order an Encore Azalea from EncoreAzalea.com, your plant begins its journey at our 200+ acre nursery in Southern Alabama, where rows of azaleas are grown and cared for before heading to gardens across the country.
Shipping a living plant is a little different from shipping an ordinary package. From the way your azalea is selected to how its root ball is protected and its container is secured, each step is designed to help prepare the plant for its trip. Here’s what happens between the nursery and your doorstep—and what to do once your Encore Azalea arrives.
It Starts at the Nursery
Every Encore Azalea ordered from EncoreAzalea.com begins its journey at our 200+ acre nursery in Southern Alabama, where it is grown and cared for before being selected for its new home.
Encore Azaleas ship as established, container-grown plants. That means your azalea does not arrive bare root. It travels in its nursery container with its soil and root ball intact, helping minimize disturbance to the root system during shipment.
Hand-Selected and Packed With a Living Plant in Mind
When your order is ready to ship, our nursery team heads into the field to select your plant. Plants are selected from the nursery on the day they are scheduled to ship. Once selected, your Encore Azalea is watered, tagged with its variety information, and prepared for packing.
Before packing, a plastic liner is wrapped around the base of the plant and secured near the stem. The liner helps hold soil in place and retain moisture around the root ball while the plant is traveling. The plant is then placed inside a shipping box sized for its nursery container. Built-in tabs help hold the pot securely and reduce movement during transit. Once everything is in place, the box is sealed, labeled, and prepared for shipment.
How Are Encore Azaleas Delivered?
Encore Azaleas ordered through EncoreAzalea.com ship via UPS or FedEx Ground. We strive to ship orders the day after they are placed or the following day. Because we do not ship on Sundays, orders placed over the weekend generally leave the nursery on the next business day. Travel time can vary depending on the destination.
When your plant arrives, you may notice:
- A little loose or displaced soil
- A few fallen leaves
- A small broken twig
- Branches that have shifted inside the box
These are all common signs of movement during shipping and don't affect the plant’s long-term health.
Your Encore Azalea Has Arrived! Now What?
Once the box reaches your doorstep, your plant’s journey is nearly complete—but what you do next can help make the transition from nursery to garden much smoother.
Right After Delivery
Promptly Unbox
Open the shipping box carefully and lift the plant out by supporting the nursery container rather than pulling on the branches or stems. Remove the plastic liner and any additional packing material from around the pot.
Keep the plant in its nursery container until you are ready to plant. There is no need to remove it from the pot or disturb the root ball immediately after delivery. If branches have been gently pressed together during shipping, allow them time to relax naturally once the plant is out of the box.
Check for Loose Soil
Some soil may shift during transit, particularly around the top or sides of the root ball. If that happens, gently return loose soil to the container and settle it around the root ball with your hands. Avoid pressing or compacting the soil heavily.
Check the Soil Before Watering
Don't assume your azalea needs water simply because it has been in a box! Instead, feel the soil near the top of the nursery container. If the soil feels dry, water slowly and thoroughly until the entire root ball is moistened and excess water begins draining from the bottom of the container. If the soil still feels moist, the plant may not need additional water right away. The goal is to keep the root ball evenly moist without leaving the container constantly saturated.
Container-grown plants can dry more quickly than plants growing in the landscape, particularly during warm, sunny, or windy weather, so continue checking the soil while your azalea remains in its nursery pot.
Give the Plant a Quick Inspection
Take a moment to look over the foliage, stems, and overall structure of the plant. A few fallen leaves or a small broken twig can occur during normal transit. You can remove clearly broken or damaged pieces with clean pruners if needed.
Don't be alarmed if the plant looks slightly different from photos taken at another point in the growing season. Encore Azaleas are living plants, so appearance naturally changes depending on variety, season, temperature, and where the plant is in its bloom cycle. Your azalea may arrive covered in blooms, showing buds, between bloom cycles, or primarily displaying foliage.
If for some reason the plant appears significantly damaged or unhealthy, please take clear photos soon after unboxing and fill out this form.
Let It Adjust After the Trip
If you are not planting immediately, give your Encore Azalea a comfortable place to rest outside while you prepare its new home. Keep it in its nursery container in a location protected from prolonged exposure to extreme weather. Continue monitoring the soil so the root ball does not dry out, and make sure the container can drain freely. Avoid placing it somewhere water can collect around the bottom of the pot.
When You're Ready to Plant
Choose the Right Planting Location
Before digging, take time to choose a location where your Encore Azalea can perform well long-term. Encore Azaleas generally perform best with four to six hours of direct sunlight or high filtered shade each day. Adequate sunlight is especially important for supporting repeat blooms. In very hot climates, protection from the strongest late-afternoon sun can be beneficial.
Just as important as sunlight is drainage. Azaleas prefer moist but well-drained soil and should not be planted in areas where water regularly collects around the roots. If you are unsure about the location, observe the area throughout the day to see how much sunlight it receives and how quickly water drains after rainfall or irrigation.
Prepare the Plant for Planting
When you are ready to plant, water the azalea beforehand if the root ball is dry. Carefully slide the plant from its nursery container. Avoid pulling the plant out by the stems. Once removed, inspect the root ball.
If roots are densely circling the outside of the root ball, gently loosen the outer roots with your fingers before planting. This can help encourage roots to begin growing outward into the surrounding soil. Try to keep the main root ball intact rather than breaking it apart unnecessarily.
Pay Attention to Planting Depth
Planting depth is especially important for azaleas. Dig a hole that is wider than the root ball but no deeper than necessary, and position your plant so the top of the root ball sits about 1-2" above the surrounding soil level.
Backfill around the root ball with the surrounding soil, gently firming it enough to remove large air pockets without packing it tightly. For step-by-step planting instructions, see our complete Guide to Planting Encore Azaleas.
Water Thoroughly After Planting
Once your azalea is in the ground, water it thoroughly. Newly planted azaleas require more attention to watering than established plants because their roots are still concentrated within the original root ball. How often you need to water will depend on rainfall, temperature, sunlight, wind, soil type, and drainage, so use the soil rather than a rigid calendar as your guide.
Add Mulch—but Keep the Crown Clear
A layer of mulch around your newly planted Encore Azalea can help conserve soil moisture, moderate soil temperature, and reduce weed competition. Spread mulch around the plant, but avoid piling it directly against the stems or covering the top of the root ball with a thick mound. Leaving a little breathing room around the base helps prevent excess moisture from remaining directly against the stems.
After Planting
Give Your New Plant Time to Establish
After planting, your Encore Azalea’s first job is establishing its root system in its new location. You don't need to immediately prune, reshape, or heavily fertilize a newly arrived plant simply because it has just been planted. Focus first on good placement, consistent moisture, and healthy establishment.
It may take a little time for your plant to settle into its new environment, so don’t judge its long-term performance by its first few days or weeks in the landscape. As the roots begin expanding into the surrounding soil, your azalea will be better prepared to put energy into new growth and future blooms.
What If My Encore Azalea Isn’t Blooming When It Arrives?
Not blooming when it arrives is completely normal! Your Encore Azalea's appearance changes throughout the growing season. Depending on the variety, weather, shipping date, and where the plant is in its bloom cycle, yours may arrive covered in flowers, showing buds, or displaying mostly foliage.
Once planted, focus on giving your Encore Azalea the right growing conditions: appropriate sunlight, well-drained soil, and consistent moisture while its roots establish. With proper care, it can settle into its new home and prepare for future bloom cycles.
What If I Can't Plant It Right Away?
You don't have to rush your plant into the ground the moment it arrives. Keep it outdoors in its nursery container, monitor soil moisture, and protect it from extreme weather until you’re ready to plant. Make sure the container can drain freely, and remember that a container-grown plant can dry out faster than one planted in the landscape.
Check the Forecast Before You Order
Because Encore Azaleas are living plants, weather conditions at the delivery destination matter. Before ordering, look at the forecast for both the expected travel period and the days immediately after delivery. If temperatures are expected to climb above 90°F, drop below freezing, or severe weather such as a hurricane is approaching, consider waiting for more moderate conditions before ordering.
Which variety will you bring home next?
Explore all 35+ Encore Azalea varieties online to find the right fit for your landscape and use our Garden Center Locator to find a retailer near you!
