Meet Autumn Moonlight®
Soft glow, strong presence—Autumn Moonlight® Encore Azalea opens pure white, ruffled, semi-double blooms with yellow-dusted throats, lighting up the garden from spring with repeat shows into summer and fall. A robust, upright grower with light green evergreen foliage, Autumn Moonlight is tailor-made for background plantings, layered borders, and along foundations where height and polish matter.
Why you’ll love it
- Elegant “white ruffle” flowers: Semi-double, white blooms with subtle yellow throats for refined contrast.
- Encore® rebloom: Strong spring flush followed by additional bloom cycles in warm weather.
- Upright structure: Naturally vertical habit gives beds a clean architectural line.
- Evergreen polish: Light green foliage provides year-round texture behind seasonal color.
Looking for a luminous white Encore Azalea for the middle or back of the bed? Autumn Moonlight Encore Azalea delivers height, clarity, and dependable rebloom.
Color & bloom
Expect masses of semi-double, ruffled white flowers ~2.5" across, each highlighted by a soft yellow throat. The petals read crisp and bright from the curb and glow in the morning or dappled light. After spring, Autumn Moonlight continues with encore bloom waves into fall for extended seasonal interest.
Size & habit
- Height: ~5 feet
- Spread: ~4 feet
- Form: Upright, rounded, and well-branched—perfect for background roles, layered borders, and foundation lines that need vertical rhythm.
Where it thrives
- Light: 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, and evenly moist. Amend heavy or alkaline soils with organic matter; consider a soil acidifier if needed.
- Water: Keep consistently moist during establishment; deep water during heat or drought, particularly ahead of bloom cycles.
- Climate: Broadly adaptable; 2–3" mulch helps conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature.
Planting & care
- Plant slightly high: Set the root ball 1–2" above grade to prevent waterlogging.
- 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 can support rebloom.
- Prune with timing: Minimal pruning needed. If shaping is desired, prune right after the spring flush to preserve buds for summer/fall flowers.
- Simple upkeep: Refresh mulch annually, monitor soil pH, and maintain even moisture through hot spells.
Design ideas
- Layered borders: Place Autumn Moonlight behind lower mounded shrubs and perennials to create depth and a bright backdrop.
- Foundation rhythm: Repeat along long façades for a cohesive ribbon of white in season and evergreen structure year-round.
- Moon-garden moments: Pair with silver grasses, white hydrangeas, and variegated foliage to amplify nighttime glow.
- Contrast combos: Position near gold or chartreuse evergreens so ruffled white flowers pop.
Whether you need a graceful white ruffle azalea for the back of the border or a refined backdrop along the house, Autumn Moonlight delivers luminous flowers, reliable rebloom, and clean evergreen structure—four-season elegance made easy.
