Autumn Rouge holds a special place in the Encore line: it was the first one introduced. Deep pink semi-double flowers stand out against notably dark, lustrous foliage, and the plant blooms in spring, repeats through summer, and finishes with another round in fall. Expect a rounded shrub around 4 to 5 feet.

Give it more sun than a traditional azalea would take, ideally four to six hours with relief from the harshest afternoon heat. Acidic, well-drained soil and a pine straw mulch keep the shallow roots happy. Prune only after the spring flush to protect the later blooms.