Azalea, Encore® Autumn Carnation® PP# 15339

Encore® Azalea Autumn Carnation® PP#15339

Scientific name: Rhododendron ‘Carnation’

Encore® Azalea Autumn Carnation® is a compact, reblooming evergreen azalea selected for consistent flowering, rich color, and strong landscape performance. As part of the Encore® series, it offers extended seasonal interest with repeat bloom cycles and improved tolerance to sun exposure compared to traditional azaleas.

Plant description:
Carnation® forms a dense, mounded shrub with a naturally balanced shape that maintains a neat appearance with minimal pruning. Its uniform growth habit makes it reliable for structured plantings as well as informal garden designs.

Flower description:
Blooms are soft to medium pink with a ruffled, carnation-like form that gives the cultivar its name. Flowers appear heavily in spring and return in summer and fall, providing color long after standard azaleas have finished flowering. The multi-season bloom habit makes this variety a strong focal point in the landscape.

Leaf description:
Foliage is glossy, deep green, and evergreen, offering year-round structure. New growth emerges bright and fresh before maturing into darker tones that contrast well with the pink flowers.

Deciduous or evergreen:
Evergreen.

USDA grow zones:
Zones 7–10.

Mature height and width:
Approximately 3–4 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide.

Landscape uses:
Well suited for foundation plantings, low hedges, mass plantings, mixed shrub borders, and large containers. Its compact size and reblooming habit make it useful in both residential and commercial landscapes where long-lasting color is desired.

Native range:
Not native. This is a hybrid cultivar developed from Asian evergreen azalea species.

Sun exposure:
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. Increased sun exposure supports stronger reblooming compared to traditional shade-only azaleas.

Water requirements:
Moderate. Prefers evenly moist, well-drained, acidic soil. Consistent watering is important during establishment and extended dry periods.

Pests and problems:
May be affected by azalea lace bugs, spider mites, root rot in poorly drained soils, and nutrient deficiencies in alkaline conditions. Proper soil preparation and good drainage reduce most issues.

Heat and sun tolerance:
Exhibits good heat tolerance and handles higher light levels better than many older azalea varieties, making it adaptable to brighter planting locations.

Cold tolerance:
Cold hardy to approximately -10°F once established, with dependable performance across its recommended growing range.

Growing tips:
Plant in acidic soil amended with organic matter to improve drainage and root health. Mulch to conserve moisture and stabilize soil temperatures, keeping mulch away from the base of the plant. Provide regular watering during the first growing season to encourage deep root development. Light pruning, if needed, should be done immediately after the primary spring bloom to maintain shape without reducing future flower cycles. Feeding with a fertilizer formulated for azaleas helps maintain deep green foliage and supports repeat blooming throughout the year.

---SHIPPING NOTICE PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS!---

 We WILL NOT refund the purchase of or the shipping cost of live plants purchased with the intent to be shipped to states that do not authorize importing live plants or to states with restrictions! Purchases to these states will be held for 30 days for pick-up at our Slidell, Louisiana store and the shipping cost associated with these purchases will be held for the care of the plant while waiting to be picked up. All sales are final. If the plant(s) purchased are not picked up within 30 days from the date of order, these items will be returned to our sales inventory and you WILL NOT be refunded. Thank you for understanding these policies.

Due to regulations, certain states have restrictions on importing plants. Please review the list below to ensure you're not attempting to order any restricted plants in your area.

**Important Note:** We do not ship any plants outside the U.S.

State-Specific Restrictions - We ARE NOT responsible for any plant(s) that are not listed in these restrictions. Purchaser bears all responsibility for making sure the plant(s) they desire to purchase are not banned from being imported to the shipping state:

Arizona: Juglans spp.  

California: Castanea spp., Juglans spp., Pinus spp., Quercus spp.  

Colorado: Some counties restrict Prunus spp. Please verify your local county regulations.  

Florida: Castanea spp., Cornus spp., Quercus spp., Cornus mas 

Georgia: Vaccinium spp.

Hawaii: Pinus spp. 

Idaho: Humulus lupulus, Mentha spp., Vitis spp.

Indiana: Fragraria spp., Rosa spp. 

Kansas: Juglans spp.

Michigan: Abies spp., Vaccinium spp.

Montana: Pinus spp.

Nevada: Allium spp.

Mentha spp. 

New Jersey: Rosa spp.  

New York: Vitis spp.  

Oregon: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Quercus spp., Sambucus nigra, Ulmus spp., Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.

Texas: Juglans spp. 

Washington: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.  

Wisconsin: Abies spp., Pinus spp., Picea spp., Mentha spp. 

Additionally, we cannot ship plants in soil medium to the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, HI, ID, KS, MS, MT, ND, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA.