Encore azaleas are a series of hybrids developed to be true multi-season bloomers-blooming in Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Encore azaleas were developed by Robert E. “Buddy” Lee, a plantsman from Independence, Louisiana. They were the result of Mr. Lee’s planned cross hybridization between the a series of azaleas and Rhododendron oldhamii ‘Fourth of July’.
Mr. Lee’s hybridization program was conducted with emphasis on species that are not commonly found in the genetic make-up of the present day hybrids. The ‘Fourth of July’ cultivar is a heavy summer and fall blooming plant, not like the Rhododendron Species Foundation form. The flower buds form on new growth and start blooming about July 14. Mr. Lee used this cultivar to cross with existing hybrids which have a tendency to bloom in the fall and which are also fairly hardy. As expected, the resulting seedlings are heavy summer and fall bloomers with very impressive spring blooms also.
This series of azaleas continues to expand and the list below may not encompass the latest members of the series. Readers are urged to go to the Encore Azaleas website: http://www.encoreazalea.com for most up to date information.
Those seeking more specific details of the lineage of the specific hybrids are urged to go to the Plant Patents–hyperlinked to the PP number in the table below.
| Image | Name | Flower color, type | Registered Name | Plant Patent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Autumn Amethyst™ | Red-Purple, Single | Rhododendron ‘Conlee’ | PP#10567 |
 | Autumn Angel™ | White, Single | Rhododendron ‘Robleg’ | PP#15227 |
 | Autumn Belle™ | Pink, Semi-Double | Rhododendron ‘Robleo’ | PP#19899 |
 | Autumn Bravo™ | Red, Semi-Double | Rhododendron ‘Conlen’ | PP#11628 |
 | Autumn Carnation™ | Pink, Semi-Double | Rhododendron ‘Roblec’ | PP#15339 |
 | Autumn Carnival™ | Pink, Semi-Double | Rhododendron ‘Conlet’ | PP#12111 |
 | Autumn Cheer™ | Pink, Single | Rhododendron ‘Conlef’ | PP#10579 |
 | Autumn Chiffon™ | White to Red, Single | Rhododendron ‘Robled’ | PP#15862 |
 | Autumn Coral™ | Pink, Single | Rhododendron ‘Conled’ | PP#10568 |
 | Autumn Debutante™ | Pink, Single | Rhododendron ‘Roblel’ | PP#16278 |
 | Autumn Embers™ | Red, Semi-Double | Rhododendron ‘Conleb’ | PP#10581 |
 | Autumn Empress™ | Pink, SemiDouble | Rhododendron ‘Conles’ | PP#12109 |
 | Autumn Fire™ | Red, Semi-Double | Rhododendron ‘Roblez’ | PPAF |
 | Autumn Ivory™ | White, Single | Rhododendron ‘Roblev’ | PPIP |
 | Autumn Jewel™ | Magenta | Rhododendron ‘Robleu’ | PP#25074 |
 | Autumn Lilac™ | Purple-Violet | Rhododendron ‘Robles’ | PP#22762 |
 | Autumn Lily™ | Red-Purple, Single | Rhododendron ‘Roblex’ | PP#25073 |
 | Autumn Monarch™ | Orange-Red, Semi-Double | Rhododendron ‘Conleo’ | PP#11640 |
 | Autumn Moonlight | White & Yellow, Semi-Double | Rhododendron ‘Mootum’ | PP#18416 |
 | Autumn Princess™ | Pink, Semi-Double | Rhododendron ‘Roblea’ | PP#12142 |
 | Autumn Rouge™ | Pink, Semi-Double | Rhododendron ‘Conlea’ | PP#10438 |
 | Autumn Royalty™ | Purple, Single | Rhododendron ‘Conlec’ | PP#10580 |
 | Autumn Ruby™ | Pink, Single | Rhododendron ‘Conler’ | PP#12110 |
 | Autumn Sangria™ | Pink, Single | Rhododendron ‘Roblee’ | PP#15077 |
 | Autumn Starlite™ | White, Single | Rhododendron ‘Roblem’ | PP#15043 |
 | Autumn Sunburst™ | Coral, Semi-Double | Rhododendron ‘Roblet’ | PP#25072 |
 | Autumn Sundance™ | Pink, Single | Rhododendron ‘Roblef’ | PP#16184 |
 | Autumn Sunset™ | Red, Semi-Double | Rhododendron ‘Roblen’ | PP#16248 |
 | Autumn Sweetheart™ | Pink, Semi-Double | Rhododendron ‘Robleja’ | PP#16249 |
 | Autumn Twist™ | Rhododendron ‘Conlep’ | White to Purple | PP#12133 |