Autumn Starburst® Encore® Azalea

Autumn Starburst® Rhododendron 'Robleze' PP 32605

Plant Highlights:

• Growing Zone: 6-9
• Plant Brand: Encore ® Azalea
• Botanical Name: Autumn Starburst® Rhododendron 'Robleze' PP 32605
• Foliage Color: Green
• Flower Color: Coral Pink with bold white margins 2" size bloom
• Flower Fragrance: Slight
• Fall Color: NA
• Type: Evergreen
• Mature Height: 3'
• Mature Width: 3-3 ½'
• Growth Rate: Moderate
• Exposure: Sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Well drained not too wet or soggy
• Water Needs: Moderate as needed once established
• Pruning Needs: As needed in-between flowering. Late pruning will stall fall blooms.
• Awards:
• Grown by: The Plant Factory
• Pollinator Friendly: Yes
• Deer Resistant: No
• Pet Friendly: No
• Reblooming: Yes
• Cold and Heat Tolerant: Yes

Autumn Starburst is a vibrant, easy-care perennial that lives up to its name with a dramatic burst of color that brightens up any garden or landscape. Hardy in USDA Zones 6–9, this striking plant thrives across a broad range of climates, delivering reliable performance year after year. Its deep green foliage serves as the perfect backdrop for the showy blooms—radiant star-shaped flowers in warm tones of coral pink with bold white margins that create a fiery display from spring into fall. The flowers are lightly fragrant, attracting butterflies, bees, and other beneficial pollinators, making it a superb choice for gardeners focused on supporting local ecosystems. With its compact and mounding growth habit, Autumn Starburst is ideal for borders, containers, patio planters, and small-space gardens. It’s also highly drought tolerant once established and requires minimal care.

Perfect for busy gardeners or low-maintenance landscapes. This tough performer resists heat and humidity while maintaining its floral appeal, and its rugged durability makes it a long-lasting favorite in any planting design.

It’s deer resistant, helping to protect your investment in areas with high wildlife activity, and it’s considered pet-safe, so you can plant with peace of mind.

As a gift, Autumn Starburst offers unforgettable impact—whether shared for a birthday, housewarming, or just because.

To grow successfully, plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter.  

Planting Tips:

Ensure the Encore Embers Azalea thrives by planting it in well-draining, acidic soil. Choose a location with partial shade to protect it from harsh afternoon sun, especially in warmer climates.

Watering: 

Adequate watering is crucial, especially during dry spells. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulching around the base of the plant helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Use our MOISTURE MAXX non-ionic wetting agent all year or during times of drought for extended help keeping your plants well hydrated for up to 40 days.

Mulching:

Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as pine straw or bark chips, around the base of the plant. Mulching not only conserves moisture but also suppresses weeds and regulates soil temperature.

Pruning:

Light pruning after the spring bloom encourages a bushier growth habit and promotes a more robust fall flowering. However, avoid heavy pruning, as Encore Azaleas bloom on both old and new wood.

Fertilizing:

Feed your Encore Embers Azalea with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer like our SR-18-5-10 slow release fertilizer in spring after the first flush of blooms and again in late spring or early summer. This ensures the plant has the nutrients it needs for the subsequent fall bloom.

Ordering:

Our processing time usually is 1-3 days after receiving the order. Orders taken after 4:00 pm on Wednesday through Sunday will be shipped the following Monday.

Shipping:

The Plant Factory, Inc. offers the very best shipping processes to ensure quick, safe, and near-perfect results every time. Cold and heat may deter your order temporarily until it is safe to receive and plant your plants/trees in your area. At our discretion, we will hold order till the threat is gone ensuring you with the healthiest- viable product ordered.

Summer/Winter Shipping Restrictions – Summer above 95 degrees | Winter - Below 34 degrees

Just a heads up! We share pictures and videos on our site to showcase our products and highlight the quality of our growing process. However, depending on the season you purchase, you can receive a plant that is smaller or larger than what is presented. There's a chance you might see a plant blooming like the one on our site, but it's not guaranteed. We often trim off blooms since they don't travel well. When you buy our plants, think of it as a wonderful investment in your future garden! Enjoy the journey of nurturing them to their fullest potential.

What makes Plant Factory Direct a great option?

We grow our plants right here at our nursery! Our knowledgeable staff uses top-notch horticultural practices to make sure our plants are healthy and of the highest quality. We choose your plants with the same care and thoughtfulness as if we were picking them for ourselves. We aim to go above and beyond what our customers expect. We take pride in providing wonderful "out of the box" experiences, along with friendly customer service and speedy resolutions.