Rhododendron 'Autumn Royalty'
Autumn Royalty Encore Azalea
Hybrid of garden origin (Encore series, USA)
Overview
Rhododendron 'Autumn Royalty' is a reblooming evergreen azalea in the Encore series, forming a rounded shrub 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) tall and wide. It carries semi-double purple flowers 3-3.5 inches (7-9 cm) across, larger than those of most azaleas, in a heavy spring flush and again from midsummer into autumn on the current season's growth. The narrow evergreen leaves are 1.5-3 inches (4-7 cm) long and glossy dark green, holding through winter in mild climates. Like other Encore azaleas, it reblooms only with enough sun and warmth, so flowering is sparse in deep shade or short growing seasons. It grows in part sun in moist, acid, well-drained soil rich in organic matter and is prone to root rot in heavy or wet ground and to chlorosis in alkaline soil. All parts contain grayanotoxins that are toxic to humans and pets if eaten. Hardy in USDA zones 6-10, it is grown as a foundation shrub, in borders, and in containers.
Native Range
Rhododendron 'Autumn Royalty' is a hybrid azalea in the Encore series, bred in the United States for repeat bloom, and does not occur in the wild. Its parent species belong to the genus Rhododendron spp., native to Asia, North America, and Europe, with azaleas centered in eastern Asia and the southeastern United States.Suggested Uses
Grown as a foundation shrub, in mixed and shrub borders, as a low informal hedge, and in large containers, spaced 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) apart. The repeat bloom is used to extend color in the garden from spring into autumn.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4' - 5'
Width/Spread4' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Flowers open in a heavy flush in mid to late spring, then rebloom from midsummer through autumn on new growth, often until the first hard frost. The semi-double blooms are purple and about 3 inches (7-9 cm) across. The strongest repeat bloom comes in full to part sun, with light flowering in shade.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in part sun, with morning sun and light afternoon shade, in moist, acid, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Enough sun is needed for the summer and autumn rebloom, which is sparse in deep shade. Keep the shallow roots evenly moist and mulched, since the plant is sensitive to drought, but avoid wet or heavy soil that brings root rot. Alkaline soil causes yellowing between the leaf veins. A light feeding with an acid fertilizer after the spring flush supports later bloom. Hardy in USDA zones 6-10.Pruning
Prune lightly just after the spring flush to shape the shrub, since later pruning removes the wood that carries summer and autumn flowers. Remove dead or crossing stems at the same time. Hard renewal pruning is tolerated but delays rebloom for a season.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons