Encore 'Autumn Carnation' Late Summer Bloom

Re-blooming is an unusual plant trait. Selected cultivars return this time of year for a repeat floral show. In my garden Encore™ azaleas (Rhododendron spp.), re-blooming irises (Iris spp.), and re-blooming daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are back for second round of flowering in late summer and early fall.

The gardener/landscaper must supply needed soil moisture and nutrition (primarily nitrogen) so that plants don’t struggle through a stressful summer season. Plants become recharged by frequent irrigation and adequate feeding. In certain situations you may need to monitor and treat a disease and insect problem.

As plants finish blooming in their prime season, remove all spent flower heads to avoid seed formation. For iris prune off old flowers in late May, for daylilies in late June or early July. Encore azaleas bloom in mid-April thru early May and require no deadheading. Timing may vary according to where you garden in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7).

In addition, many perennials re-bloom a second and third time after spent flowers are removed and plants are re-nourished. Some easy to grow re-bloomers include: blanket flowers (Gaillardia x grandiflora), perennial salvia (Salvia x nemorosa), tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata), summer phlox (Phlox paniculata), Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum) and veronica (Veronica spp.).