Encore Autumn Majesty covers a rounded, compact evergreen shrub with masses of petite, ruffled, semi-double blooms in deep purple, first in spring, again through summer, and once more in fall. The tidy habit and rich color make it a dependable anchor for foundation beds.

Give it four to six hours of sun, morning light preferred in Birmingham, plus acidic, well-drained soil and a pine straw mulch. Steady water through the first summer settles it in. Save any pruning for right after the spring flush so the later rounds of bloom are spared.