We just love the new Autumn Bonfire® Encore® Azalea. With true red single and semi-double blooms for 3 seasons, this dwarf azalea is absolutely stunning!

The beautiful 2.5-inch red blooms covering this azalea offer a stunning contrast to its deep green foliage. You will enjoy deep green foliage year-round and vibrant red blooms in spring, summer, and fall.

Key Features

• Prolific blooms for months! The Encore® Autumn Bonfire® offers gorgeous, red blooms for 3 seasons!
• A dwarf variety. The Bonfire azalea will reach a height of about 3 feet tall and 3.5 feet wide.
• Fast-growing. Unusual for a dwarf shrub, the Bonfire grows quickly often reaching full height within 5 years.
• A tough and easy to grow flowering shrub. Encore® azaleas are pest and disease resistant and low maintenance. The Bonfire grows in zone 6 to zone 10 so it tolerates cooler and hotter temperatures than many other azaleas.
• Grows in sun! Contrary to most azaleas that prefer shade the Bonfire azalea grows well in sun so you won't have to hide these beauties from the world!

Pro Tip: You're probably asking what is the difference between the Bonfire and the Fire Encore Azaleas. They are pretty similar, but the Bonfire has a mix of single and semi-double blooms versus the consistent semi-double blooms of the Fire. The Bonfire is a bit larger growing to about 3 feet tall and 3.5 feet wide versus the 2.5 feet tall and 3 feet wide of the Fire. The true red color appears a bit brighter on the Bonfire and a bit deeper on the Fire.

When planting your azalea be sure you have the right location and conditions for your new plants to thrive.

Planting

Planting time: Spring and fall are ideal times to plant azaleas. However, if you avoid freezing and extremely hot temperatures you can plant any time of the year

Sun: Full sun to part shade. Encore azaleas will perform best with at least 4-6 hours of sun. While your Encore azalea will still grow and even bloom in shady areas they are less likely to rebloom and the blooms won't be as prolific.

Soil: Azaleas prefer acidic soil that drains well. If you have alkaline soil, be sure to amend it. To acidify your soil amend with compost, elemental sulfur, or use fertilizers specific for acid loving plants. Mulching with pine straw or pine bark will help over time as they begin to break down, but are not an immediate solution. To improve drainage in something like a heavy clay soil, add compost and be sure to loosen up the soil well before planting.

Fertilizing

Choose a balanced slow release fertilizer. Fertilize in late winter or early spring before flowering for best results.

Maintenance

You don’t need to prune Encore azaleas, but pruning after they are done blooming can help encourage a bushier growth and renew an older plant. You can use pruning to control size, but don't prune of more than 1/3 of the plant for best results.

The Autumn Bonfire Encore azalea adds vibrant color to your landscape. Azaleas are excellent for borders and mass plantings. This evergreen shrub jazzes up gardens and mixed beds. At 3 to 4 feet tall and wide at maturity this stunning azalea can even be used in foundation plantings. Try this flowering shrub in a container to add a bold pop of color to your entryway, porch, patio, or deck. For borders or low hedges plant about 3 feet apart on center. Otherwise, plant about 5 feet apart to give your plants space in-between.

For additional options, be sure to browse our Azalea and Evergreen Shrub collection.