Looking at Plants

Rhododendron ‘Autumn Bravo’

COMMON NAMES

Autumn Bravo Azalea

Rhododendron (roh-doh-DEN-dron) - Greek for a rose tree

'Autumn Bravo' Encore Series - variety and series name for this hybrid Azalea x 'Conlen' (PP11628) a cross between Azalea ‘Red Slippers’ and Rhododendron oldhamii ‘Fourth of July’

GROUP

Dicot

FAMILY

Ericaceae

ORIGIN

Species – East Asia; Cultivar – Louisiana

DESCRIPTION

Autumn Bravo Azalea is a woody evergreen shrub that averages 3 to 5 feet in height with a comparable spread. It has a dense, upright, mounded form with a moderate growth rate.

Leaves are evergreen, elliptical, alternate in arrangement with entire margins, simple, 1 ½ to 2 inches long and ½ to ¾ inches wide, fuzzy when younger, and medium green in color.

The flowers are red to orange red, about 2 1/2 to 3 inches across, perfect, wavy on the margins, open funnel-shaped, and are single to semi-double. In addition to the usual spring bloom period for azaleas, this hybrid will also bloom from summer to fall. They are borne on the current season’s growth.

Fruit are 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, hard, brown capsules and usually inconspicuous.

HARDINESS

It is hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 9.

LIGHT

Full sun to light shade. Encore series are more tolerant of sun than other azaleas. It needs 4 to 6 hrs. of sun for best blooming, so dense shade reduces flowering.

SALT

Poor Salt Spray Tolerance – it’s risky for this plant to be put in a coastal area as it has minimal tolerance. It would require multiple layers of protection such as in a greenhouse, indoors, or in a small enclosed area such as a courtyard beyond the dunes.

Poor Soil Salt Water Tolerance – it’s risky for this plant to be put in a site where any salt water flooding may be present and it will not tolerate irrigation with salt water.

SOIL

It prefers a moist, rich, acidic, well-drained soil in the pH range of 4.5 to 6.0. It is not fond of overly wet soil. It will develop micronutrient deficiencies (particularly iron) on alkaline soil.

WATERING

It has poor to moderate drought tolerance once established. A shallow root system will necessitate more frequent watering during dry spells. Mulching with an inch or two of material – pine bark, pine needles, or wood chips will help in the conservation of moisture. Be sure to keep the mulch a little away from the trunk.

PROPAGATION

3 to 4 inch semi-hardwood tip cuttings taken in late spring to early summer. Put under mist with a wounded basal end and IBA rooting talc, cuttings will usually root in 8 to 12 weeks; air layering in summer; tissue culture. It is subject to Plant Patent Law, PP#11628

PRUNING

Pinch after spring bloom for more flowers next bloom period. Major pruning should be done in early spring, though pruning is usually minimal.

FERTILIZING

It likes an acid soil, so depending on what your soil pH is (a soil test is good for determining this important factor), you may need to use a slow release acid forming fertilizer with minor elements. There are specialty fertilizer blends for Camellias and Azaleas in most markets. Always follow the label instructions for the product you are using. In northern zones it is usually best not to fertilize much past July to keep new, tender growth from being damaged by freezes.

PESTS

Azalea Lace Bug,  Azalea Leafminer,  Azalea Caterpillar,  Fuller Rose Beetle, Io Moth,  Mealybug Phenacoccus multicerarii, Fall Webworm, Leafcutting Bees, Southern Red Mite, Twospotted Mite, Broad Mite,  False Spider Mite Brevipalpus californicus, Root Knot Nematodes, Stubby-Root Nematode Trichodorus obtusus, Greedy Scale Hemiberlesia rapax,  Chilli Thrips, Bayberry Whitefly - Parabemisia myricae, Twobanded Japanese Weevil,  Black Vine Weevil, Strawberry Root Weevil, Red Wax Scale, Greenhouse Thrips, Forest Tent Caterpillar

DISEASES

Verticillium Wilt, Powdery Mildew, Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot,  Botryosphaeria Canker and Dieback, Cylindrocladium scoparium,  Botrytis Blight or Gray Mold, Southern Blight, Sudden Oak Death and Ramorum Blight, Fusarium Wilt, Phytophthora Dieback, Phytophthora Root Rot, Ovulina Petal Blight, Gray Blight, Exobasidium Leafgall , Azalea Leaf and Flower Gall

DEER

Susceptible

Deer are obviously not a concern in the heart of the metropolis. Rural residents and those living in developed housing projects that are near large natural habitats may want to consider some protection if many deer have been seen in the area.

OTHER

Good butterfly plant

USES

Borders, mass planting, partly shady areas, mixed plantings, specimen plant, containers, woodland edge, foundation planting

TOXICITY

California Poison Control and University of California give Rhododendron spp. a listing of:

Major - Ingestion of these plants, especially in large amounts, is expected to cause serious effects to the heart, liver, kidneys or brain. If ingested in any amount, call the poison center immediately.

ASPCA gives Rhododendron spp. a listing of: toxic to dogs, cats, and horses

Texas A&M University gives Rhododendrons a listing of: All parts           Fatal. Produces nausea and vomiting, depression, difficult breathing, prostration and coma.

North Carolina State University says of Rhododendrons: Poison Part: All parts. - Poison Delivery Mode: Ingestion. - Symptoms: Salivation, watering of eyes and nose, abdominal pain, loss of energy, depression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, difficult breathing, progressive paralysis of arms and legs, coma. - Toxic Principle: Andromedotoxin. - Severity: highly toxic, may be fatal if eaten!