With winter departing, most of us are celebrating the return of spring. Winter will return though; fortunately, Encore Azalea offers 22 cold hardy varieties to keep your landscape fresh during winter’s last blast.
For more than 15 years, Encore Azaleas underwent testing in gardens, trials and plant nurseries, and are proven to offer low-maintenance solutions for multi-season landscape color. In fact, university studies and extensive planting throughout the Midwest and Northeast found 13 varieties consistently exhibited cold hardiness through Zone 6, with 9 additional varieties displaying cold hardiness through Zone 6B.
Anecdotal reports from Oklahoma, North Carolina, Indiana and beyond report similar success in the face of recent icy winters:
- Susanne Woodell, Historic Gardens Manager, Biltmore Estates, Asheville, NC: “We did not lose any Encore azaleas this winter. The Encores add color to our gardens at a time when there is not much bloom, and our guests enjoy seeing them. ”
- Beverly Knight, Azalea Path Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Hazelton, Ind.: “I have been growing the Encore Azaleas for over 15 years along with over 400 other azalea varieties. My Encore Azaleas have done as well as any azalea, but over the years have bloomed consistently in the fall. I am in a zone 6, and this past winter we had two days of negative 5 degrees with no snow cover, and most all of my Encore Azaleas have come back strong. ”
- Barry Fugatt, Director of Horticulture, Tulsa Garden Center and Linnaeus Teaching Garden, Tulsa, Okla.: “We had very unusual weather -- We had the hottest and coldest weather in state history over the past 6 years, and the Encore varieties generally faired well. Spring bloom following 5 to 6 years of very unseasonable weather has been surprisingly good, even those overwintered in containers.”
To ensure Encore Azaleas re-bloom in fall before Zone 6 winter begins, plant in full sun. In areas colder than Zone 6, Encore® Azaleas may require special care. However, they are ideal for container gardens, where they can easily be placed indoors when freezes threaten.
Visit encoreazalea.com for a complete list of cold hardy varieties, as well as more information on USDA zones and growing tips for Zone 6 and beyond.