In a recent USDA study, eleven varieties of Encore Azalea were found to be resistant or moderately resistant to lace bugs, a major landscaping pest that can lead to loss of leaves and plant vigor. By incorporating these colorful shrubs into your landscaping you will be helping the environment by minimizing the use of pesticides! Research entomologist Grant Kirker reported, “Host plant resistance is an environmentally friendly, low-tech, low-cost method of control that reduces the need for pesticides to manage azalea lace bugs.” Azalea lace bugs are a major pest in both production nurseries and home landscapes. Adult bugs use their piercing pincers to suck the juices from the undersides of the leaves, leaving a yellowish stippling on the upper and lower leaf surface. Severe infestations can lead to reduced plant vigor and loss of leaves. The study, conducted at the USDA-ARS Thad Cochran Horticultural Research Laboratory in Poplarville, Miss., researched nineteen varieties of Encore Azalea and fourteen standard cultivars for host plant resistance to lace bugs. Researchers are hopeful that this new knowledge will lead eventually to the breeding of pest-free cultivars.

Each of the Encore varieties begins their performance with the spring flowering season. Once this “first act” of blooming concludes, new shoots begin to grow and set buds. The Encore Azalea’s “second act” opens when these buds begin blooming into full flower mid-summer. This unique bloom season continues through the fall, the curtain dropping with the onset of cold weather. Encore Azalea varieties found to be pest resistant included: Autumn Amethyst, Autumn Twist, Autumn Royalty, Autumn Sangria, Autumn Cheer and Autumn Rouge. Cultivars showing moderate resistance were Autumn Embers, Autumn Bravo, Autumn Starlite, Autumn Ruby and Autumn Princess.

Encore Azaleas currently available in our inventory:
Amethyst
Twist
Royalty
Sangria
Rouge
Starlite
Princess

Written by Ginny Gregory.