Meet Autumn Rouge®
Bold color, polished structure—Autumn Rouge® Encore Azalea pairs deep pink, ruffled semi-double blooms with beautiful dark green foliage on a naturally upright, well-branched habit. Flowering heavily in spring and returning in waves through summer and fall, Autumn Rouge is tailor-made for background plantings, hedges, and high-visibility borders that need dependable color and evergreen presence.
Why you’ll love it
- Ruffled pink power: Saturated deep pink petals (~2" across) create a refined, high-impact display.
- Encore® rebloom: Big spring show with reliable encore flushes into autumn.
- Upright structure: About 4' tall × 4.5' wide—ideal for hedges and layered borders.
- Evergreen polish: Dense, dark green foliage provides year-round texture and contrast.
Looking for a hedge-ready rebloomer with classic charm? Autumn Rouge Encore Azalea delivers color, structure, and staying power.
Color & bloom
Expect masses of semi-double, ruffled blooms in a rich, deep pink that reads clearly from the curb and reveals plush petal texture up close. After spring’s headline show, additional bloom cycles keep the color coming in warm weather—long after many azaleas have finished.
Size & habit
- Height: ~4 feet
- Spread: ~4.5 feet
- Form: Upright, full, and well-branched, creating a cohesive line in hedges and an architectural backdrop in mixed borders.
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 (target pH 5.0–6.0), well-drained, 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; a 2–3" mulch layer helps conserve moisture and moderate 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: 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 is needed. If shaping a hedge or cleaning up form, prune right after the spring flush to preserve developing buds.
- Ongoing upkeep: Refresh mulch annually, monitor soil pH, and water during prolonged dry spells to maintain foliage luster and flower production.
Design ideas
- Evergreen hedge: Space plants to form a continuous, flowering screen that stays neat year-round.
- Background anchor: Place behind lower mounded shrubs and perennials to build depth and highlight ruffled blooms.
- Curb-appeal combo: Pair with gold or chartreuse evergreens to make the deep pink flowers pop.
- Foundation rhythm: Repeat along façades for a polished, color-forward line that performs for three seasons.
Whether you’re building a classic hedge or anchoring the back of a border, Autumn Rouge brings ruffled blooms, rich color, and evergreen structure—proof that hardworking shrubs can also be head-turners.
