Autumn Kiss™

Unexpected and unforgettable—Autumn Kiss® Encore Azalea brings truly unique bicolor blooms to the landscape, flowering heavily in spring and returning in waves through summer and fall. The semi-double petals glow like a soft spotlight atop a compact, rounded habit, with Autumn Kiss maturing to 3–4 feet tall and wide—a perfect fit for front beds, borders, and high-visibility containers.

Why you’ll love it

• One-of-a-kind color: Distinctive bicolor flowers create instant curb appeal and close-up intrigue.
• Encore® rebloom: A strong spring flush followed by reliable encore performances season after season.
• Right-size form: The tidy, rounded habit slips easily into foundation plantings and small gardens.
• Evergreen polish: Glossy green foliage keeps plantings attractive all year.

Looking for a statement shrub with repeat performance? Autumn Kiss Encore Azalea delivers standout color without high maintenance.

Color & bloom

Expect generous clusters of semi-double, bicolor blooms ~3" across. The petals blend rosy and soft blush tones that read vividly from a distance and reveal layered nuance up close. Flowers cover the shrub in spring, then return in multiple flushes as temperatures warm—keeping color in the garden long after traditional azaleas fade.

Size & habit

• Height: 3–4 ft
• Spread: 3–4 ft
• Form: Compact, rounded, and well-branched—ideal for edging, low hedges, and containers.

Where it thrives

• Light: 4–6 hours of direct sun (morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal, especially in hotter climates).
• Soil: Acidic (pH ~5.0–6.0), well-drained, evenly moist. Amend dense or alkaline soils with organic matter; consider a soil acidifier if needed.
• Water: Keep consistently moist while establishing; deep water during heat or drought, particularly ahead of bloom cycles.
• Climate: Broadly adaptable; apply 2–3" mulch to moderate soil temperature and conserve moisture.

Planting & care

1. Plant slightly high: Set the root ball 1–2" above grade to prevent soggy roots.
2. Backfill & mulch: Use amended native soil; mulch 2–3" deep, keeping mulch a couple of inches from stems.
3. Feed for flowers: In early spring, apply a slow-release, acid-formulating fertilizer for azaleas/rhododendrons; a light post-bloom top-up can support rebloom.
4. Prune with timing: Minimal pruning needed. If shaping is desired, prune right after the spring flush so you don’t remove developing buds for summer/fall blooms.
5. Simple upkeep: Refresh mulch annually, monitor soil pH, and water during extended dry spells.

Design ideas

• Foundation finesse: Repeat Autumn Kiss along the front bed for a ribbon of bicolor flowers and evergreen structure.
• Color echo: Pair with rose-pink salvia or pale hydrangeas to amplify the bicolor effect.
• Container statements: In porch planters, the compact habit and long bloom season keep entries lively for months.
• Mixed borders: Thread between fine-textured grasses and heuchera to balance bold flowers with soft movement.

If your garden is ready for a standout that performs beyond “azalea season,” Autumn Kiss brings luminous bicolor flowers, dependable rebloom, and a perfectly proportioned habit—big style in a beautifully manageable package.