Meet Autumn Moonstruck™
Striking foliage meets season-spanning bloom—Autumn Moonstruck® is a variegated azalea that turns heads even when it’s not flowering. This new introduction from the bestselling Encore® series combines clean, brilliant white blooms (spring, summer, and fall) with bold, green-and-cream variegated leaves. Its naturally upright habit makes it a standout for hedges, accents, and high-visibility foundation lines—bringing four-season interest with minimal fuss.
Why you’ll love it
- Variegated foliage, year-round: Crisp, bi-colored leaves provide pattern and brightness well beyond bloom time.
- Encore® rebloom: Single, white flowers ~2.5" across return in waves after spring for extended color.
- Upright, landscape-ready: About 5' tall × 4' wide—ideal for low hedging, narrow beds, and layered borders.
- Design forward: A rare combination of luminosity (flowers) and texture (leaves) among variegated azalea varieties.
Hunting for a foliage-forward showpiece? Autumn Moonstruck azalea delivers a designer look in every season.
Color, foliage & bloom
Expect a generous spring flush of single white blooms that read clearly from the curb and glow in morning or dappled light. Flowers return during warm weather, keeping the show going into fall. Between cycles, the variegated evergreen foliage—a bright mix of green with creamy margins—keeps beds lively and visually layered.
Size & habit
- Height: ~5 feet
- Spread: ~4 feet
- Form: Upright and well-branched, naturally tidy for hedges, entries, and structural accents.
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 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; a 2–3" mulch layer conserves moisture and moderates soil temperature.
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 & foliage: In early spring, apply a slow-release, acid-formulating fertilizer for azaleas/rhododendrons; a light post-bloom top-up supports rebloom and leaf vigor.
- Prune with timing: Minimal pruning needed. If shaping a hedge, prune right after the spring flush to preserve buds for summer/fall flowers.
- Ongoing upkeep: Refresh mulch annually, monitor soil pH, and water during prolonged dry spells to maintain leaf brightness and flower production.
Design ideas
- Living light strip:Use Autumn Moonstruck as a low hedge; the variegated foliage reads like a built-in highlight along paths and façades.
- Foundation rhythm: Repeat at intervals for a cohesive pattern of white blooms and creamy leaves.
- Contrast palettes: Pair with deep green conifers or burgundy shrubs to amplify the foliage variegation.
- Container accent (large pots): An upright “thriller” that carries its look through all seasons.
- Mixed borders: Weave between mounded evergreens and fine-textured grasses for depth and movement.
Whether you’re curating a crisp front border or sculpting a modern hedge, Autumn Moonstruck Encore Azalea brings luminous flowers and statement foliage in one easy-care shrub—proof that structure and sparkle can live in the same plant.
