Meet Autumn Lily®
Elegant, vigorous, and ready for the spotlight—Autumn Lily® Encore Azalea combines robust, upright growth with deep green, evergreen foliage and white blooms uniquely marked by rare single purple stripes. A strong spring flush returns in waves through summer and fall, making Autumn Lily a standout for mass plantings, foundation lines, and high-visibility borders. It’s also one of the most cold-hardy Encore Azalea varieties, bringing dependable color to cooler climates.
Why you’ll love it
- Distinctive flowers: Crisp white petals adorned with single purple stripes—a rare and memorable detail.
- Encore® rebloom: Heavy spring display followed by repeat bloom cycles into autumn.
- Upright strength: A robust, upright habit with glossy foliage for year-round polish.
- Cold-hardy confidence: Proven durability among Encores for reliable performance in cooler regions.
Looking for a white rebloomer with a twist? Autumn Lily Encore Azalea delivers refined color and unmistakable character.
Color & bloom
Large, single-form white flowers ~3" across open in abundance, each petal often featuring a distinct purple stripe that reads clearly from up close and adds painterly interest from afar. The clean white color brightens shaded façades and contrasts beautifully with the plant’s deep green foliage. After spring, expect encore waves of bloom in warm weather for an extended seasonal impact.
Size, habit & presence
- Autumn Lily azalea size: ~4.5 ft tall × ~4 ft wide at maturity
- Form: Upright and full, with dense branching that suits rhythm plantings along the house or property lines
- Effect: A refined, architectural presence with high-contrast flowers
Where it thrives
- Light: Best with 4–6 hours of direct sun; morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal, especially in hotter or reflective sites.
- Soil: Acidic (pH 5.0–6.0), well-drained, evenly moist soil. Amend heavy or alkaline soils with organic matter and 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; mulch 2–3" to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures—especially helpful in colder zones.
Planting & care
- Plant slightly high: Set the root ball 1–2" above grade to prevent soggy roots.
- Backfill & mulch: Use amended native soil; mulch 2–3" deep, keeping mulch a couple of inches from stems.
- Feed for flowers: In early spring, apply a slow-release, acid-formulating fertilizer for azaleas/rhododendrons; a light post-bloom top-up supports rebloom.
- Prune with timing: Minimal pruning needed. If shaping is desired, prune right after the spring flush to preserve developing buds for summer/fall flowers.
- Cold-season tips: Maintain even moisture into late fall and keep mulch in place to support vigor and winter appearance.
Design ideas
- Foundation finesse: Repeat Autumn Lily along the front bed for a bright, cohesive ribbon of white that shines against brick, stone, or siding.
- Mass plantings: Create a sweeping drift where the purple-striped blooms read as a subtle, designer detail.
- Entry symmetry: Flank steps and walkways for a formal, welcoming look with four-season structure.
- Contrast palettes: Pair with gold or chartreuse evergreens to make the white blooms pop; weave with blue-green conifers for a cool, modern scheme.
Autumn Lily delivers distinctive white flowers with elegant purple striping, strong rebloom, and a robust, upright habit, a four-season beauty with a designer’s touch.
