Autumn Bravo Azalea

Autumn Bravo Azalea (Rhododendron 'Autumn Bravo') is an Encore azalea, bred to flower twice rather than once. Deep red blooms open across the plant in spring, then again from late summer through autumn, on a rounded evergreen shrub about 1.2m tall and 1.2m wide. That second flush is the whole point: most azaleas give three weeks of colour a year, and this one gives two seasons of it.

Why you'll love it

• Two flowering seasons. A heavy spring display, then a second wave from late summer into autumn once the new growth has hardened.
• Heat and humidity are not a problem. Encore azaleas were selected for warm climates, so subtropical gardens get the same performance as cool temperate ones.
• A size you can plan around. Roughly 1.2m each way, which keeps it out of windows and off paths without constant cutting back.
• Frost hardy once established. It handles cold southern winters, so it suits gardens from Queensland through to Victoria.

Where it works best

Low hedging and borders. Plant 1m apart for a low flowering hedge. At that spacing the shrubs meet without crowding, and each keeps enough light to flower on the inside faces.

Mass planting. Under established trees or along a driveway edge, set 1m apart, it reads as a continuous band of red twice a year.

Pots and feature planting. A 400mm pot of acidic camellia and azalea mix is the simplest way to give it the soil pH it wants on alkaline ground.

Growing Autumn Bravo Azalea in Australia

Position and climate. Morning sun with afternoon shade is the sweet spot in subtropical and warm temperate gardens. In cool temperate districts it takes more sun, and flowering improves for it. Full hot afternoon sun scorches the leaves anywhere.

Soil. Acidic and free draining, ideally pH 5.0 to 6.0. Work compost and aged pine bark through the bed, and raise the planting on clay. Alkaline soil yellows the leaves between the veins, so test first if you are unsure.

Water and feed. The root system is shallow and fibrous, so it dries out quickly. Water deeply twice a week through the first summer and keep 50mm of mulch over the roots, clear of the stem. Feed an azalea and camellia fertiliser after each flush.

Pruning. Trim lightly straight after the spring flush to keep the shape dense. Leave it alone from midsummer onwards, or you will cut off the autumn buds.

What to expect when it arrives

This variety is grown as tubestock only, so plants arrive young: a single well rooted seedling around 15cm to 20cm tall, usually with no flowers on it. That is the honest trade off. Tubestock costs a fraction of an advanced shrub and establishes quickly, but you are buying two to three years ahead of the display.

Tubes travel well and can go straight into prepared ground. Expect light flowering in the second year and a full plant by year three. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The complete azalea care guide
• How to lower soil pH for acid loving plants
• Compare varieties in the azalea collection
• Browse the full tubestock range

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

One metre apart in a single row for a low hedge to about 1.2m. Closer spacing shades out the lower branches and thins the flowering.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Azaleas contain grayanotoxins and are toxic to cats, dogs and horses if the leaves or flowers are eaten. Plant it away from where a pet grazes.

Why do the leaves look yellow between the veins?

That is almost always soil pH. Azaleas cannot take up iron in alkaline ground, so apply iron chelate for a quick correction and add aged pine bark or sulphur to bring the pH down.