A Comparison of Encore Azaleas With Red Ruffles

Creation of the Varieties

• "Red Ruffles" and Encore azaleas are both hybrids created in the 1900s. "Red Ruffles" are considered Rutherford hybrids, bred from Rhododendron simsii and R. indicum in the 1920s in New Jersey. The Encore azalea varieties are a bit younger, bred in the 1980s in Louisiana by Robert E. "Buddy" Lee. Lee discovered Encore azaleas by crossing traditional azaleas with R. oldhamii, a Taiwanese azalea that blooms through the summer.

Both Blooming Beauties

• "Red Ruffles" azaleas are named for the ruffle-like edges on their flowers, which make for interesting texture in garden design. Although there are other slightly ruffled Rutherford hybrids of different colors, the blossoms of "Red Ruffles" are a deep cherry red. They have a bloom cycle similar to more traditional azaleas, with profuse flowers in early to late spring. Encore series azaleas have a more classic funnel-shaped flower that can have either single or double petals. There are 29 different varieties of Encores, with varying blooms of pink, purple, red and white. Unlike other azalea species, Encore azaleas flower not only in spring but also through summer and autumn.

Selecting a Size

• "Red Ruffles" azaleas grow densely to about 2 to 4 feet tall and wide in a mounding habit. Encore azaleas come in both dwarf and larger varieties. Dwarf Encores grow to 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Larger varieties grow 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide.

Choose by Sun Exposure

• "Red Ruffles" azaleas have light needs of traditional azalea varieties. They prefer partial shade and might be a better option for shadier areas of the yard. Encore azaleas bloom best with full sun -- at least four to six hours of sunlight ensures optimal health -- so if planting an area with high sun exposure, Encores are better suited than "Red Ruffles" or other azaleas that require more shade.

Handling Low Temperatures

• "Red Ruffles" azaleas thrive in US Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 to 9. Encore series azaleas are more cold hardy and grow well in USDA zones 7 to 9. Some university studies show the majority of Encore varieties can survive to USDA zone 6.