European Growers Produced New Encore Azaleas
A collection of reblooming azaleas has expanded production through a network of nine growers across Europe.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Gardening
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Nine growers in Italy, France, and the Netherlands have expanded the production of the Encore azalea collection. These plants are uniquely characterized by their ability to offer a second flowering period.
Why it matters
The expanded European production network ensures that gardeners have broader access to varieties that bloom twice in a single season. The collection includes plants tested across diverse climate conditions to ensure consistent performance.
Most Encore azalea varieties reach a mature height of 24 to 35 inches and require four to six hours of direct sunlight daily. These plants are engineered for resilience, maintaining survival in temperatures as low as -4°F (-20°C).
The players
Buddy Lee
He is the horticulturalist who originally developed the Encore azalea collection.
IPM
This is a major international trade fair for the horticulture industry where new plant varieties are showcased.
The details
The collection, originally developed by Buddy Lee, is now being produced as a finished product by nurseries throughout Italy, France, and the Netherlands. New additions to the line, such as the purple-flowered Autumn Prince, undergo trials at multiple European locations to test their performance under varying environmental conditions.
Timeline
The Autumn Prince variety is scheduled to be presented at IPM 2026.
Culture Shift
The expansion of these plants reflects a broader shift toward integrating high-performance, ornamental genetics into standard European landscaping. This growth moves the industry beyond traditional single-season flowering toward products that offer prolonged aesthetic value.
Gardeners in cooler climates can now source varieties proven to survive temperatures down to -4°F. When planning a landscape, users should ensure their garden site provides the necessary four to six hours of daily direct sunlight.
The takeaway
When choosing reblooming azaleas, verify the specific hardiness zone to ensure the plant can survive local winter lows. Always prioritize spots that receive adequate direct sunlight to maximize the potential for that crucial second flowering cycle.
What happens next
The Autumn Prince variety will be officially presented to the industry at the IPM trade fair in 2026.
Further reading
For more on managing reblooming perennials, visit the Gardening section.
More information
For additional technical specifications on these varieties, visit the Plantipp company website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Floraldaily.
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