Shrub · North Texas care guide
Rhododendron 'Encore' series
Nursery Pro tip: Blooms spring and again in fall. Needs acid soil — plant in a raised bed of peat and pine bark.
Azaleas that bloom in spring and again from late summer into fall, which is what makes them worth planting here when the old spring-only types are a one-week show. Evergreen, 3–5 ft depending on variety, in pink, red, purple, white and coral.
Morning sun with afternoon shade, or bright filtered light all day — Encores take more sun than traditional azaleas but not a west wall. The bed matters more than the plant: they need acidic, well-drained, organic soil, which our clay is not. Build a raised bed of half compost, half pine bark, or plant in large pots.
Fall or early spring. Set the ball 2 inches above grade in the amended bed, mound the mix around it, Root Stimulator, and 3 inches of pine-bark mulch. Their roots are shallow and fine; they never recover from being planted deep.
Consistently moist, never wet. Twice a week in summer, more in pots. A dry September means no fall bloom.
Azalea or acid-loving fertilizer after the spring bloom and again in midsummer. Soil sulfur and chelated iron keep the pH and the leaf color where they should be.
Right after the spring flush, and never after July — later cuts remove the fall buds. Usually all they need is the removal of a stray shoot.
Iron chlorosis and root rot, both from the wrong soil. Lace bugs stipple the leaves in sun — treat with a systemic in spring. Watch water in the first two years.
Shade beds with Japanese maple, holly fern, hosta, cleyera and mondo grass.
Written for Rockwall's black clay, heat and winters by the Landscape Source team. Every yard is different — bring a photo by, or ask LS-Ai, and we'll tailor it to your spot.