Images Depict Mature Plants
Autumn Majesty® Encore® Azalea For Reblooming Purple Color And Compact Evergreen Style
Ruffled Purple Blooms That Return Again And Again
Autumn Majesty® Encore® Azalea brings a rich, regal purple that looks dramatic against its dark green leaves—and it doesn’t stop after the spring show. This is a true reblooming azalea, with a heavy spring flush followed by repeat color through summer and into fall when it’s planted in the right light and kept evenly moist. The blooms have a fluffy, semi-double look with ruffled texture that reads beautifully up close and still pops from the curb, especially in foundation beds and front borders.
If you’ve ever loved azaleas but wished they lasted longer, Autumn Majesty is the answer. It gives you that classic azalea abundance in spring, then keeps the garden lively when many spring shrubs fade into green. Plant it where you’ll see it often—near an entry, along a walk, or as a featured accent in a mixed evergreen bed—and you’ll get multiple “wow” moments in a single growing season instead of just one short window.
Compact, Rounded Habit That Fits Small Beds And Easy Designs
Autumn Majesty stays compact and naturally rounded, typically maturing around 2–3 feet tall and 2–3 feet wide. That tidy size makes it incredibly easy to place: in front of taller shrubs, tucked into a foundation planting, repeated along a path, or grouped in threes for a rich purple mass. Because it doesn’t need to become a giant to look impressive, you can use it in smaller landscapes without sacrificing impact.
This variety is also a smart choice for “structured color”—the kind of shrub that keeps beds looking intentional even when perennials are between bloom cycles. The evergreen foliage holds the design together year-round, while the repeat blooms add seasonal excitement. For a polished look, pair it with contrasting evergreens, silver foliage, and light-colored mulch or stone. The purple flowers look especially sharp next to chartreuse plants, white blooms, and deep green conifers.
Evergreen Foliage That Keeps Curb Appeal In Every Season
One of the biggest reasons to choose an Encore® Azalea is what it does when it’s not blooming. Autumn Majesty keeps dark green evergreen foliage through winter, giving you dependable structure and a “finished” look in beds that would otherwise go bare. That’s huge for foundation plantings and entry landscapes—places where you want the home to look cared-for every month, not only during bloom time.
Evergreen foliage also makes Autumn Majesty a strong companion plant. It plays well with hydrangeas, hollies, boxwoods, pieris, and dwarf conifers, providing a steady green backdrop that makes seasonal flowers look more vibrant. And because the plant stays compact, it won’t swallow nearby perennials or crowd walkways. In practical terms, you’re getting a shrub that earns its keep twice: evergreen presence all year, plus repeat purple blooms that keep the landscape feeling fresh across multiple seasons.
Simple Success Rules: Light, Drainage, And A Gentle Prune
To get the best rebloom, give Autumn Majesty full sun to partial shade, with filtered morning light being a sweet spot in many gardens. More sun generally encourages more flowers, while a little protection from harsh late-day heat can help foliage stay lush and reduce stress. The other non-negotiable is drainage: azaleas love even moisture, but they cannot sit in water. Aim for a well-drained, slightly acidic, organic-rich planting area, and mulch to stabilize moisture without creating soggy conditions.
Pruning is refreshingly minimal—just keep it light and do it immediately after the spring bloom cycle. That timing protects future buds and helps the shrub stay dense and rounded. If you need to renew the shape, take a little at a time instead of cutting hard. Combine proper placement with consistent watering during establishment, and you’ll have a compact evergreen azalea that stays neat, blooms repeatedly, and looks like a “pro landscape” choice without the high-maintenance routine.
| Hardiness Zone: | 6-10 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 2 to 3 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 2 to 3 Feet |
| Sunlight: | Full sun to partial shade; filtered morning light is ideal |
| Bloom Time / Color | Spring with repeat bloom into summer/fall; purple (ruffled, semi-double) |
| Pruning Season: | Immediately after spring flowering, very little pruning needed |
| Soil Condition: | Very well-drained, organic-rich, slightly acidic |
| Water Requirements: | Even moisture; do not let dry out or sit soggy |
| Wildlife Value | Flowers can attract pollinators when blooming |
| Resistance (deer/disease/drought/etc.) | Deer: moderate resistance (not deer-proof); root-rot risk in wet soils |
| Landscape Uses | Flower beds, borders, foundation planting, wind buffers, container gardens, ornamental accents |
How to Care for Autumn Majesty® Encore® Azalea
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Autumn Majesty® Encore® Azalea plant for years to come!
How should I plant Autumn Majesty® Encore® Azalea?
Plant Autumn Majesty® Encore® Azalea in full sun to partial shade, ideally where it gets bright morning light and some protection from harsh late-afternoon heat. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and about the same depth, then set the plant so the top of the root ball sits slightly above or level with the surrounding soil (avoid planting too deep). Backfill with a 50/50 blend of native soil and organic material such as pine bark fines, peat moss, or compost to improve drainage and support the mild acidity azaleas love. Water thoroughly to settle the soil, then add a 2–3 inch mulch layer to keep roots cool and moisture consistent (keep mulch a few inches away from the stems). The biggest success factor is drainage: choose a spot where water does not puddle after rain, because azaleas need moisture but cannot tolerate soggy conditions.
How often should I water Autumn Majesty® Encore® Azalea after planting?
Water deeply right after planting, then check the soil daily for the first week. Keep the root zone evenly moist—not wet—by watering when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. In warm weather or sandy soil, that may mean watering every few days at first; in cooler weather or heavier soils, it may be less frequent. Slow, deep watering at the base is best for establishing strong roots. After the first few weeks, transition to deep watering about once per week, increasing during heat or drought. Mulch helps prevent quick dry-outs, which is especially important for Encore® azaleas because steady growth supports repeat bloom. Avoid overwatering or poor drainage, as standing water can lead to root rot.
When should I fertilize Autumn Majesty® Encore® Azalea?
Fertilize either at the first signs of spring growth or right after the spring bloom cycle finishes. Use an azalea/rhododendron fertilizer or a balanced, slow-release option formulated for acid-loving plants. Moderate feeding at the right time supports healthy foliage and the new growth that fuels rebloom, without forcing soft, weak shoots. Avoid heavy fertilizing late in the season. Even though Encore® azaleas can bloom again in fall, late feeding can stress the plant and encourage tender growth at the wrong time. If you want the simplest routine, do one spring feeding plus a light post-bloom feeding, then rely on compost and mulch to keep the soil biology working.
When and how should I prune Autumn Majesty® Encore® Azalea?
Prune Autumn Majesty® Encore® Azalea immediately after spring flowering, and keep pruning minimal. Start by removing any dead or damaged wood, then lightly shape only what’s needed to maintain the natural rounded habit. Pruning later in the season can reduce future blooms because azaleas set buds early. If you ever need size control, do it gradually over multiple seasons instead of cutting hard all at once. A gentle post-bloom tidy paired with proper spacing, even moisture, and good drainage is usually all it takes to keep Autumn Majesty compact, dense, and bloom-forward.