Meet Autumn Majesty®
Compact stature, royal color—Autumn Majesty® Encore Azalea lives up to its name with masses of petite, ruffled, semi-double dark purple blooms that arrive in spring and return in waves through summer and fall. Hardy to USDA Zone 6A, this purple Encore azalea keeps its bright green, evergreen foliage all winter on a naturally rounded, compact habit, bringing four-season polish to borders, beds, and containers.
Why you’ll love it
- Regal color, nonstop: Profuse, semi-double purple flowers (about 2" across) rebloom from spring into fall.
- Cold-ready: Reliable performance to USDA Zone 6A.
- Evergreen and tidy: Dense, bright green foliage on a compact, rounded plant that looks neat year-round.
- Small-space friendly: Easy to place near entries, along walks, and in foundation plantings.
Searching for a compact purple azalea with true staying power? Autumn Majesty Encore Azalea delivers rich color on a right-sized, easy-care shrub.
Color & bloom
Expect blankets of dark purple, ruffled semi-double blooms that read vibrantly from the curb and reveal plush petal texture up close. After the spring show, Autumn Majesty continues with multiple bloom cycles as temperatures warm—keeping color in the garden long after traditional azaleas finish.
Size & habit
- Height: ~3 feet
- Spread: ~3.5 feet
- Form: Dense, rounded, and compact—ideal for front-of-bed placement, low hedging, and decorative containers.
Where it thrives
- Light: 4–6 hours of direct sun; morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal, especially in hotter climates or reflective sites.
- Soil: Acidic (target pH 5.0–6.0), well-drained, and evenly moist. Amend heavy or alkaline soils with organic matter and a soil acidifier if needed.
- Water: Keep consistently moist during establishment; deep water during heat or drought, especially ahead of bloom cycles.
- Climate: Great choice for cooler regions thanks to Zone 6A hardiness; mulch 2–3" to 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 so you don’t remove developing buds for summer/fall flowers.
- Winter notes: Maintain even moisture into late fall and keep mulch in place to support vigor and winter foliage quality.
Design ideas
- Foundation finesse: Repeat Autumn Majesty along the front bed for a cohesive ribbon of purple color and evergreen structure.
- Contrast plantings: Pair with gold or chartreuse evergreens (e.g., juniper, cypress) to make the dark blooms pop.
- Pastel-plus palette: Weave among white hydrangeas and silver grasses for a high-contrast yet refined look.
- Container royalty: In porch or patio planters, the compact habit and long bloom season create a season-spanning focal point.
Whether you need a jewel-toned accent or a compact hedging plant, Autumn Majesty proves that a purple Encore azalea can be both refined and tough—delivering regal color and evergreen presence season after season.
