Perhaps the following situation has happened to you: You plant your vegetable garden in spring, and seeing all that blank space, you decide to dig in one more heirloom tomato and a few more pepper plants. Two months later you find tomato branches scrambling all over the garden… and peppers choking out your lettuces!
What does this overcrowding scenario have to do with the rest of your landscape? Well, the same thing can happen with your foundation plantings and shrubs! Sometimes we only see the bare spots needing to be filled, and we neglect the future size of the items we’re planting in that space.
Every azalea within the 33-variety Encore Azalea collection has been bred to be more compact than traditional azaleas. As a result, they deliver their BIG impact through bright, repeating showers of colorful blooms throughout the year – at a slightly smaller size that works for a range of uses in your garden, container, or landscape. Within the Encore collection there are two size categories: dwarf and intermediate. The sizes of the azaleas within those categories do vary, but generally speaking, the dwarf varieties are 2.5-3’ tall and 3-4’ wide, and the intermediate varieties range between 4-5.5’ tall and 3-4.5’ wide.
Right Size, Right Place
The gardening adage, “right plant in the right place,” holds true – especially when it comes to size. This year, make your mantra: “right-sized plant in the right place.” Generally speaking, small-sized azaleas are best suited for small or tight spaces. For example, azaleas are a patio delight, and a variety such as Autumn Bonfire with a size of just 3’ x 3’ can be dazzling in containers as small as 16” in diameter. Other small-statured Encore azaleas include Autumn Sunset, Autumn Ivory and the stunning Autumn Starburst, among others. These can be used in a variety of small-space situations, such as urban yards, condominium spaces, near a mailbox or at the foot of a walkway.
Intermediate-sized Encore azaleas are perfectly suited for areas of the landscape that have slightly larger voids to fill. Enliven foundation plantings and perimeter borders with varieties such as Autumn Amethyst and Autumn Royalty. Or, create an island bed within your landscape with Autumn Twist as the planting’s spotlight. Encore azaleas can also be planted as a beautiful blooming hedge that’ll give you just the right combination of privacy and friendliness. Beautiful hedges make great neighbors, after all!
Pruning for Perfection
To say that a plant or shrub has a maximum height or width is mostly correct. The “mature size” listed under each variety isn’t to say they grow to that dimension and then stop growing entirely. Rather, it indicates the height and width at which a plant’s growth will typically slow. These dimensions are then easily maintained through pruning.
To best maintain an Encore azalea at a size you desire:
- Remove old leaves around and inside of the shrub to allow foliage to flush out.
- Use hand pruners to trim down any tall shoots or outliers.
- Prune once a year—immediately after the spring bloom period—to shape the plant to your desired height and width.
Encore azaleas are ready and able to beautify your space… whatever size it may be!