If temperatures remain mild for another day or two (however unlikely with nighttime lows dipping into the low twenties (Fahrenheit) this week), the single flower bud of ‘Autumn Amethyst’ will open in mid-December. This is not unusual for ‘Amethyst’, though more typically this azalea would have scattered blooms over the past month. This autumn, there have been none, and for whatever reason there have been few flowers on any of the Encore, reblooming azaleas this season.
The most dependable of the Encore azaleas to flower in late summer into autumn in this garden is ‘Autumn Carnation’ (below), and while it flowered, the numbers were fewer than usual. Nearer the northern edge of the azaleas’ hardiness, later spring flowering complicates the resetting of buds for autumn flowers so that the rebloom is not as dependable as further south.
Still, I’m happy to have them in the garden despite a vow long ago never to plant another azalea. There was a time when spring flowering azaleas suffered from lace bug damage to the point where all were finally removed with the exception of a grouping of ‘Delaware Valley White’ that continues to perform after three decades beneath the shade and in root competition with nearby maples in the forest that borders the garden. Happily, I was convinced to give Encore azaleas a try.
In case anyone wondered, the small amount of wet snow overnight confirms that winter is here. While the lone azalea flower is likely to be injured this week along with camellia flowers that opened since a few nights in the upper teens a week ago, the mahonias are not bothered until temperature drop into single digits. Even then, they bounce back quickly, and while it’s evident that the the flowers of mahonias are just past their peak, in cold weather the flowers will persist for several more weeks and occasionally into the third week of January.
Ramblin' through Dave's Garden 
Never say never- I’m eagerly awaiting the release of Encore azalea Autumn Moonstruck (white flowers and variegated leaves).
I am curious to see if the variegation stands out. With the ones I’ve seen grown by Flowerwood Nursery, the host nursery for Encores and the Southern Living plant lines, the variegation has not been as distinct as I prefer. But, this is in its production phase grown in the Mobile, Alabama sun, so it will probably be much better in the garden.
Maybe you can see Buddy Lee and these azaleas at MANTS 2024 (he was there in 2023 with these plants)?
Years ago, I talked with Buddy when I was first trialing Encores and was disappointed in the repeat bloom. He suggested more sun than a typical azalea, which was successful. For the first time in forty some years (except for the Covid close down) I will not be attending MANTS with my end of year retirement. I suspect I might be back in the future, but I’ve said my goodbyes to long time friends so I’ll let that rest for a year.
Long time reader, 1st time commenter, nearby in Clifton, Fairfax. It’s the 1st time in 10+ years that none of my Encore azaleas rebloomed. Didn’t notice it until you mentioned it. Spent hours wandering around my garden today and no blooms of any kind are left, which seemed a sacrilege on such a glorious day. I waxed poetically about autumn ferns to my 13 year old, and she indulged me graciously while glancing longingly towards the house. My camellias are mushed and gone, and I even had some protected rose buds that valiantly tried to make a comeback but the most recent frosts took care of those finally. Was at the Botanic gardens in DC last weekend and they still had many roses blooming! Absolutely love your blog- gives me hope that my kids who really couldn’t care less about my gardens even after years of trying all the tricks to engage them, from pizza gardens to sunflower tunnels, may someday actually want my divisions. I sold my Sharon Lovejoy books in despairing disgust a few years ago. Just made them take 15 minute shifts yesterday after school dropping bulbs in holes while I manned the shovel. Bribed them with candy canes and a Xmas movie. They saw the crate from Brent & Becky’s come in a couple weeks ago and my oldest pushed it to the back of the garage out of sight. Too bad I was just waiting for a sunny day…
I am uncertain about any formulas for rearing children, only that whatever my wife did was successful in developing wonderful adults. I deserve only minor credit and much blame. Further, I wonder how both sons became avid gardeners since they spent their childhoods roaming the forest but not spending a moment working in the garden. Certainly, your efforts will not be wasted whether your kids become gardeners or not.