Meet Autumn Twist®
Playful and eye-catching, Autumn Twist® Encore Azalea mixes crisp pattern with bold surprise. Among the shrub’s white-and-purple–striped blooms, you’ll spot the occasional flower that’s completely purple—a delightful twist that pops against beautiful dark green foliage. Fast-growing and festive, Autumn Twist adds movement and color to beds, borders, and foundation lines from spring with repeat shows into summer and fall.
Why you’ll love it
- One-of-a-kind pattern: Striped, bicolor azaleas are rare; Twist’s white petals brushed with purple create instant curb appeal.
- Surprise factor: Every so often, a solid purple bloom appears, amplifying the drama.
- Encore® rebloom: Heavy spring flush followed by reliable encore cycles keeps color in play for months.
- Fast grower with polish: Quickly fills in yet keeps a tidy outline thanks to dense branching and glossy leaves.
Color & bloom
Expect generous clusters of single, bicolor blooms ~3" across. Most flowers display a white base streaked or striped with purple, while a few open fully purple—all of them reading vividly against the dark evergreen backdrop. The show begins in spring and returns in warm weather, giving Autumn Twist azalea long, lively seasons of interest.
Size & habit
- Height: ~4.5 feet
- Spread: ~4 feet
- Form: Upright, full, and well-branched—substantial enough for presence, compact enough for front-of-house placements.This approachable footprint makes Autumn Twist Encore Azalea easy to repeat along façades or feature as a stand-alone accent.
Where it thrives
- Light: 4–6 hours of direct sun (best as morning sun with afternoon shade in hotter or reflective sites).
- Soil: Acidic (target pH 5.0–6.0), well-drained, and evenly moist. Amend heavy or alkaline soils with organic matter; consider a soil acidifier as 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-forming 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 so you preserve buds for summer/fall flowers.
- Simple upkeep: Refresh mulch annually, monitor soil pH, and water during extended dry spells to maintain foliage luster and abundant bloom.
Design ideas
- Pattern play: Use Autumn Twist where the stripes can be appreciated up close—along paths, near entries, or beside seating areas.
- Contrast palettes: Pair with gold or chartreuse evergreens to make purple streaks pop; weave among silver grasses for a chic, modern mix.
- Color rhythm: Repeat plants at regular intervals for a cohesive line that showcases both the striped blooms and the surprise solid-purple flowers.
Autumn Twist is a standout among bicolor azaleas, bringing high-energy color and dependable rebloom to everyday spaces. Plant it once, and enjoy a garden that always has a little magic up its sleeve.
