For more than 20 years, Encore Azaleas have been tested in gardens, trials, and plant nurseries across the Southeast and have proven to be low-maintenance solutions for multi-season landscape color.
University studies and extensive plantings throughout the Midwest and Northeast also show that many varieties are cold hardy through USDA zone 6.
Seventeen Encore Azalea varieties consistently exhibited solid cold hardiness through Zone 6.
Intermediate
Autumn Amethyst®
Rhododendron ‘Conlee’ PP10567
Dwarf
Autumn Bonfire®
Rhododendron ‘Robleza’ PPAF
Intermediate
Autumn Bravo®
Rhododendron ‘Conlen’ PP11628
Intermediate
Autumn Carnation®
Rhododendron ‘Roblec’ PP15339
Dwarf
Autumn Cheer®
Rhododendron ‘Conlef’ PP10579
Intermediate
Autumn Debutante®
Rhododendron ‘Roblel’ PP16278
Dwarf
Autumn Embers®
Rhododendron ‘Conleb’ PP10581
Intermediate
Autumn Empress™
Rhododendron ‘Conles’ PP12109
Dwarf
Autumn Fire®
Rhododendron ‘Roblez’ PP28279
Intermediate
Autumn Jewel®
Rhododendron 'Robleu' PP25074
Dwarf
Autumn Lilac®
Rhododendron 'Robles' PP22762
Intermediate
Autumn Lily®
Rhododendron 'Roblex' PP25073
Dwarf
Autumn Majesty®
Rhododendron Hybrid ‘Roblezd’ PP32967
Intermediate
Autumn Monarch™
Rhododendron ‘Conleo’ PP11640
Dwarf
Autumn Princess®
Rhododendron ‘Roblea’ PP12142
Intermediate
Autumn Rouge®
Rhododendron ‘Conlea’ PP10438
Intermediate
Autumn Royalty®
Rhododendron ‘Conlec’ PP10580
Dwarf
Autumn Ruby®
Rhododendron ‘Conler’ PP12110
In Zone 6B, 9 additional varieties consistently exhibited solid cold hardiness:
Intermediate
Autumn Bravo®
Rhododendron ‘Conlen’ PP11628
Intermediate
Autumn Debutante®
Rhododendron ‘Roblel’ PP16278
Dwarf
Autumn Embers®
Rhododendron ‘Conleb’ PP10581
Intermediate
Autumn Monarch™
Rhododendron ‘Conleo’ PP11640
Dwarf
Autumn Princess®
Rhododendron ‘Roblea’ PP12142
Intermediate
Autumn Rouge®
Rhododendron ‘Conlea’ PP10438
Dwarf
Autumn Starburst®
Rhododendron Hybrid ‘Robleze’ PP32506
Intermediate
Autumn Sweetheart®
Rhododendron ‘Robleja’ PP16249
Great for Container Gardening:
Encore Azaleas may need special care in zones colder than Zone 6A, but their multi-season blooming capability makes them ideal for container gardens.
As a base plant in a container garden, Encore Azaleas can be paired with seasonal favorites and moved inside when winter freezes threaten.
Learn more about container gardening with Encore® Azaleas, click here.
To learn more about planting for success in Zones 6A and 6B, click here.
For more garden ideas, click here.
To browse the full Encore Azalea collection, click here.
Encore Azalea is the best azalea you’ll ever plant. Encore Azaleas are the world’s best-selling re-blooming azalea with rich, colorful blooms in spring, summer and fall. Encore Azaleas have 33 varieties of bloom colors and sizes to choose from and thrive equally well in high filtered shade or sunny locations—unlike any other azalea in the world. Find a retailer near you at encoreazalea.com.