Autumn Starburst®

Fresh, vivid, and impossible to miss—Autumn Starburst® Encore Azalea is a stunning new bicolor introduction (2021) that splashes coral-pink petals with bold white margins against a backdrop of dark, evergreen foliage. It flowers profusely in spring and returns in generous waves through summer and fall, all on a compact, mounding plant that’s hardy to USDA Zone 6A—a small shrub with seriously big curb appeal.

Why you’ll love it

• Graphic bicolor petals: A true “starburst flower” effect—coral pink framed by crisp white edges.
  
• Encore® rebloom: Multiple bloom cycles keep color in the garden long after traditional azaleas fade.
  
• Compact confidence: Naturally mounding habit stays neat with minimal shaping.
  
• Cold-ready: Reliable performance to Zone 6A extends bicolor beauty to cooler regions.
  

Color & bloom

Expect blankets of semi-double, bicolor blooms ~2.5" across. The coral-pink centers glow, while the bold white margins deliver high contrast that reads from the curb and rewards close-up viewing. After the spring headliner, Autumn Starburst continues with repeat shows in warm weather—precisely what gardeners love about Autumn Starburst Azalea within the Encore® lineup.

Size & habit

• Autumn Starburst Encore Azalea size: about 3' tall × 3.5' wide at maturity.
  
• Form: Compact, mounding, and densely branched—ideal for front-of-bed positions, foundation lines, and container groupings where a tidy outline matters.
  

Where it thrives

• Light: Aim for 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 and consider a soil acidifier as needed.
  
• Water: Keep consistently moist while establishing; deep water during heat or drought, especially ahead of bloom cycles.
  
• Climate: Broadly adaptable and hardy to USDA Zone 6A; a 2–3" mulch layer helps conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature.
  

Planting & care

1. Plant slightly high: Set the root ball 1–2" above grade to prevent waterlogging.
   
2. Backfill & mulch: Use amended native soil; mulch 2–3" deep, keeping it a couple of inches from stems.
   
3. Feed for flowers: In early spring, apply a slow-release, acid-formulating fertilizer labeled 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 flowers.
   
5. Simple upkeep: Refresh mulch annually, monitor soil pH, and water during extended dry spells to maintain foliage luster and flower production.
   

Design ideas

• Front-entry focal point: Let the crisp bicolor blooms frame walkways and steps for an instant, three-season welcome.
  
• Color echo: Pair with pale perennials or silver foliage to amplify the white margins, or set near gold/chartreuse evergreens to make the coral center glow.
  
• Container clarity: In porch planters, the compact mound and repeat bloom keep entries lively from spring through fall.
  

Autumn Starburst is a bicolor standout that delivers a precise mix of polish and pop. Plant it once, and enjoy a graphic burst of color—season after season.