The 2017 addition to the Encore Azalea Collection is the new, bold and beautiful, Autumn Bonfire! The Autumn Bonfire Encore Azalea produces bright clear-red blooms that stand out boldly against the dark green evergreen foliage. These Azaleas can rebloom up to three times per year; in spring, summer, and fall.
Although its blooms are reminiscent of the Autumn Fire Encore Azalea, the Encore Bonfire’s foliage does not change color like the Fire. Instead, it preserves its bright green foliage all year long. Moreover, the Autumn Bonfire is larger than the Autumn Fire, reaching 3 feet high and 3.5 feet wide.
This red flowering azalea features a faster growth habit than other dwarf azaleas. Therefore, it will make itself at home in your landscape faster than most other reblooming azaleas.
Try this Encore Azalea as a foundation planting at the foot of your house. Alternatively, use them as a reblooming hedge. The frequent blooms will provide a unique twist compared to a conventional hedge.
Plant them in a container for a fantastic burst of color that will perform for years to come. Additionally, the Autumn Bonfire is a great choice as an accent or specimen.
Hardy in USDA Zones 6-9.
Plant in Full Sun for best results. Pick a location in your landscape where this Azalea will receive 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or all-day lightly filtered sun. Consequently, too little sun will result in the Encore Bonfire having reduced bloom potential.
This red blooming azalea prefers well-draining, rich garden soil with a slightly acidic pH. Furthermore, poorly draining soil will eventually result in root rot.
Water regularly after planting, 2-3 times per week during average weather conditions. However, increased water will be required in times of intense heat and drought. After a growing season or two, your plant will be established enough to rarely need supplementary water.
Fertilize your Autumn Bonfire Encore Azaleas in spring with a slow-release Acidic Fertilizer to keep the blooms coming season after season!
Space your Autumn Bonfire Encore Azalea 2.5 feet apart for a seamless planting. Otherwise, plant them 3.5+ feet apart for gaps between plantings.
1 Gallon – 5-8 inches wide X 6-10 inches tall
2 Gallon – 8-12 inches wide x 10-14 inches tall
3 Gallon – 10-14 inches wide x 12-16 inches tall
How and When to Fertilize Encore Azaleas
Alyssa Dossat (verified owner) –
I selected autumn bonfire because the description says it is a “true red”. I also ordered autumn fire. The plants arrived and the autumn fire plants look very healthy, no blooms but lush foliage, but the autumn bonfire look less healthy and are blooming…in a bright PINK. This is so disappointing.
Peggy F (verified owner) –
We received the plants quickly & in great condition. We are waiting until fall to plant wanting to give them a better chance to acclimate. So far so good!
Peggy S (verified owner) –
We received the plants quickly & in great condition. We are waiting until fall to plant wanting to give them a better chance to acclimate. So far so good!
Robbie (verified owner) –
Plant arrived on time and was in perfect condition. This was ordered to replace one which died due to HOA grounds people getting weed killer on it. We have ordered from Plants by Mail in the past, and the plants are always in good condition when they arrive.
Zachary Campbell (verified owner) –
Ordered 5 Autumn Bonfire and 5 Autumn fire azaleas all in 3 gallon size. I have had a very positive experience with plantsbymail on all of my past orders with plants arriving in wonderful condition and as advertised. I can say the same for the autumn fire azaleas in this order. Beautiful, healthy, full plants that were sized as advertised. I was less happy with the 5 autumn bonfires in this order. All 5 plants appear as if they were smaller plants recently transplanted into a 3 gallon container (root balls are small and have extra mulch packed around them to fill out the container). They are sized closer to what the 2 gallon plants are advertised at, but otherwise appear healthy on delivery. I guess they will grow with time, just wasn’t what I was expecting and a bit disappointed given all of my previous orders have been great.
Barbara Allen (verified owner) –
Bought 4 2 gal plants in May 2022. They were well packaged and one was even in bloom. They made it through the hot, dry summer with frequent watering. Looked very healthy going into winter. Unfortunately, even though we had a fairly mild winter in southern Connecticut, all 4 plants died. These should not be advertised as suitable for zone 6. They are not cold hardy.
Team PBM –
Good morning. Just as humans are capable of surviving great weather extremes, they need to be taken great care of as infants. These plants are very young and require care during harsher weather conditions. The Encore Autumn Bonfire Azalea is conditioned for planting zone 6 if care is provided for the first two years.- Christy
Julie Kortus (verified owner) –
I ordered 3 3-gal bonfire azaleas expecting 3 of the same size. Instead, I got 3 different sizes. 1 was much smaller than the others. Disappointed.
Todd (verified owner) –
Very satisfied! Quick delivery and every plant was healthy. Plan on ordering more!
Mark (verified owner) –
Each of the 2 dozen Azalea’s were healthy, beautiful and packaged very well. The delivery was right on schedule. Can’t wait to watch them grow and grow. I will be purchasing more from them in the near future.
J S Weathers (verified owner) –
All 10 Autumn Bonfire Encore Azaleas arrived promptly and in good,healthy condition. Beautiful, ready to plant. Shipping packaging was excellent.
Lynn Frame (verified owner) –
Prompt delivery. Healthy plants In good condition. My third purchase.
Connie Odell (verified owner) –
Plants by mail is not customer service oriented. I will not order from them again
Team PBM –
Good morning Ms Odell. I apologize again, but we unable to offer a unlimited warrantees on purchases. We do offer a 30 day warrantee to help against transplant shock and time for our customers to get to know their plants. After this is up to them to keep their plants alive. – Christy
Patricia Callegari (verified owner) –
These are big, healthy plants. Two were showing autumn blooms. I am thrilled with the size and quality of all the plants I receive from Plants By Mail
Teresa (verified owner) –
They arrived safe and sound and in great condition. Already planted and some were already blooming when they arrived!
Thomas DiCarrado (verified owner) –
Excellent quality…
J. Phil White –
I was very pleased with all aspects of this purchase experience. The plant arrived in excellent condition and is thriving.
Jean Hall (verified owner) –
We are beyond pleased. All 14 plants arrived looking robust and healthy. From ordering to delivery the process was easy, seamless and quick.
starlaebennett (verified owner) –
Received my autumn bonfires and they were in excellent condition with red blooms as well! This was my 3rd time to order and plants were always in good condition.
ZDarrell Johnson (verified owner) –
Plants arrived in great condition. Very satisfied! Have purchased from Plants by Mail several times and have not been disappointed!
Sue H (verified owner) –
Ordered 3 Encore Azaleas. When received two were in good shape – the third was not up to par (smaller and not healthy looking) with the other two although the shipping boxes were in good shape. Called customer service and spoke with Christy. She asked that I send a pic of all three and immediately responded that she would be shipping a replacement. Replacement received and it was beautiful! Thank you Christy for great customer service! I happily recommend Plants By Mail.
Team PBM –
It is my pleasure. Happy planting. – Christy
Anthony Chermesino (verified owner) –
Beautiful shrub unfortunately it wasn’t packed in the the best condition and one of the branches snapped off during shipping I’m really sad.
Robin Moes (verified owner) –
Loved loved loved! Plants were in really good shape and health.One plant was lost by the shipping company and showed up three days later still healthy and green! 100% would order again.
lifferds (verified owner) –
We ordered 24 Encore Azaleas and 3 Glory Blue Hydrangeas for a front slope I hated to mow. We received the 3 Hydrangeas in 8 days (we live in a rural area) and all of the Azaleas except 4 Bonfire arrived spaced out within the next few days. One of the Hydrangeas was pretty beat up from rough handling as the box was pretty smashed up, but I am confident it will survive. The rest were in excellent condition, full, watered, and fresh looking (as good or better than I would expect at Lowes or Home Depot). I waited several more days before inquiring when the rest would be shipped. They must have already been shipped and were in UPS limbo somewhere as Christy promptly entered an order for the missing Azaleas (I hope they find a good home) which arrived 4 days later in superb condition (Thanks Christy).
I can’t hold PBM to account because of UPS handling but I will commend them for their attentive and prompt customer service making me a very happy camper.
Tom
Team PBM –
I’m so very grateful your plants arrived well. It was my pleasure. – Christy
Dianna (verified owner) –
The azaleas arrived in perfect condition! They were exactly as advertised! I’m looking forward to watching them grow for many years to come!
M Schrum (verified owner) –
My azaleas arrived quickly and were packed really well. The roots were moist and all the plants were blooming.
Lynn Frame (verified owner) –
Very healthy plants arrived in good condition. Loaded with blooms right out of the box.
GLENN (verified owner) –
Plants arrived in good condition but it’s a little to cold to plant right now so they are sitting in my den till the weather warms up a little more.
Timothy D Youell (verified owner) –
Perfect and arrived fast and in good condition
jeff.m.grabowski (verified owner) –
Super bright blooms
Morgan L Williams (verified owner) –
I like your selection and availability that aren’t available locally. I’ve never bought anything from you that died.
Sonya (verified owner) –
The azaleas arrived quickly and in perfect shape. They were already blooming and continue to bloom beautifully. Love this company!
Linda Summarell (verified owner) –
Beautiful plants Healthy great packaging. Will order again
Sandra Jensen (verified owner) –
Beautiful, healthy plants. Wonderful customer service. Will definitely order again!
MikeK (verified owner) –
The azaleas arrived on schedule and in excellent condition – very satisfied.
Judy Taylor (verified owner) –
Beautiful azalea. Product was in full bloom and as described. Looks lovely in the landscape.
Richard Frisch (verified owner) –
plants arrived in very good condition. They look very healthy, which I am very happy. The size of the plants were just perfect.
Barbara Benson (verified owner) –
The plants arrived in beautiful condition and are growing nicely. I had a question, and Customer Service answered promptly and positively. I’ll definitely buy from them again.
mylaughingdogs (verified owner) –
So far so good! Although it’s been less than a month since they were planted they are doing wonderfully. Didn’t loose any leaves to transplant shock and even have new growth. Can’t wait to see the flowers when they bloom!
Nick L (verified owner) –
I see where some people her gripe about the size of the pot they receive. I think it is so petty. As long as the plants will grow, who cares. I can tell you my FOUR red ones that I ordered were bigger than my THREE white ones that I ordered. Was I disappointed. NO…….. They are all growing (three weeks later following the instructions). And I wouldn’t hesitate a minute recommending PLANTSBYMAIL to anyone. FIRST CLASS SERVICE all around.
Team PBM –
<3 I'm your newest fan. Thank you for your kindness and love. – Christy
pscdb (verified owner) –
After reading some of the reviews, I was a little concerned with the horizontal shipping box. However, upon opening the box, the plants were healthy and still moist. I did not care for some of the dirt coming out of the pots. I would like to be giving the option to pay extra for plants to be shipped in vertical boxes. Planted them the same day and they look Great. We are waiting for the first blooms. Shipping was very fast!. I will purchase from PlantsbyMail again.
Robert E. Taraskiewicz (verified owner) –
shipped fast, and the bonfire azaleas were very healthy……..will buy again
Anna Agee (verified owner) –
These were awful! They arrived on a Saturday and I opened the boxes the next day. They had limbs broken and the dirt was every where. Not anytime soon will this plant reach 3 to 3.5 feet. I ordered the 2 quart and they may have been in a 2 quart container, but they were not 2 quart plants. I was hoping for a red, but these were more on the dark pink range. I called and sent photos of what I got and they did refund my money. I have pulled off the spent blooms and the broken limbs and decided to see what they would do. If they ever do anything, it will be a surprise. Even though they refunded my money, I will not patronize this company again. Those plants should have never been sent and were packaged so poorly.
Jessica Herring (verified owner) –
The Autumn Bonfires that I ordered arrived in poor condition. The PlantbyMail.com customer service representative was rude and offered no resolution.
markhorine29403 (verified owner) –
My plants arrived in good condition and were packed well. However, the plant size and root dimensions were no where near what one would expect in a 1-gallon container. This was a huge disappointment and the customer service team member offered no resolution. She even claimed that they don’t accept returns and selectively shared their policy by copying and pasting only the portion that supported her narrative. Buyer beware!
Marie (verified owner) –
Absolutely love the azaleas, I ordered 9 of them, they arrived sooner than expected and in good shape. I will be ordering other plants soon.
Charles McDaniel (verified owner) –
Ordered Autumn Bonfire. Plant arrived quickly, and in good shape. Put it in the ground, and it’s already blooming. Only thing, they sent me an Autumn Fire by mistake.
Team PBM –
Mr McDaniel. I have been responding to your emails. I believe my replies have been filtered through your spam settings. Please call me at 866-618-5659. –Christy
Kathryn Young (verified owner) –
I had never order Plants By Mail before, and am happy to say it was a Great experience. Lovely, strong plants, carefully packaged.
They are already looking great.
Sofia (verified owner) –
Just recieved 2 of Bonfire azaleas. They came fast to NJ, 3 days. Packaging was great, very secure, The plants looked very healthy, had some blooms on them. I made sure to give them lots of water to reduce their stress. And cannot wait for their planting day in 5 days.
Marco Salita (verified owner) –
Autumn Bonfire Encore Azalea may be my favorite variety of Encore Azaleas! This arrived well packaged and in great condition. I planted this right into a container pot I had ready to go to match 3 other Autumn Bonfire’s I purchased in Spring. I have already had a few blooms with this azalea! I look forward to seeing this grow and provide amazing colorful blooms!
Jill (verified owner) –
The Autumn Bonfire azaleas were the healthiest plants I have ever planted! They were absolutely gorgeous when we took them out of tthe box. They had lush, deep green foliage. Would definitely purchase again!
Robert Hawthorne (verified owner) –
Very nice plants. Healthy and doing exceptional since planted a few weeks ago!
Phyllis Copley (verified owner) –
I ordered 3 of another Encore azalea that were beautiful when they arrived and 1 of this 3 gal. size. It arrived fast, green, lush with many buds. Planted right away and the buds are now beginning to open. Can’t ask for any better service or quality plants than I received from Plants By Mail. The price was great also. This is definitely where I will come for any further plants I need for my yard. Thanks guys.
Karen R McKoy (verified owner) –
My flowers had to travel a great distance to get to me and I am very pleased with their arrival. They were still moist the leaves were perfect, and they are a great attraction for my added foliage in my SheShed area. I will certainly purchase from you guys again. Thanks.
Scott (verified owner) –
Plants came very health, well packaged, and on-time. Currently thriving in their new home on the Cumberland Plateau!
Lori Schuyler (verified owner) –
I am very happy with my azaleas. All 5 arrived intact and after spending one week in my garden in their pots I put them in the ground and now they are happy too–all have red blooms.
Dana McKinley (verified owner) –
Packaged very well and was impressed with how full and healthy the plants looked when they arrived. Way better than expected and as good, if not better, than what I would expect to get locally. Can’t wait to see these bloom and see the colors pop! About half of them arrived with blooms and one is really showing off after about 2 weeks in the ground. They are a small variety but make a great addition to the front of our mass planting.
Patricia Huber (verified owner) –
Just placed my first order and have not received it yet. But will give a review
Soon as I receive them.Never heard of plants by mail, but if they are good, I will
be ordering more. Thank you
Carol (verified owner) –
I purchased 16 of these bushes last year they arrived quickly and healthy, this year as spring, three are dead and the others, don’t look well, I’ve reached out to plants by mail before leaving a review but as of , this time I haven’t heard back, all bushes receive the morning sun and adequate water, other plants and bushes, are healthy in the same area?
Florence Walker (verified owner) –
Plants received in great shape. They are healthy and growing.
Very pleased.
Peter C Triano (verified owner) –
Arrived looking bare.. hardly any leaves on the 3 bonfire scrubs.
Steve –
Hello Peter, if the plants don’t look like they’ll make it please submit a complaint via our contact us form and we’ll follow up per our 30-day guarantee. https://plantsbymail.com/contact-us/
C Miller (verified owner) –
Really fantastic purchase. The plants were packaged in a very thoughtful manner and arrived very healthy and vibrant. Putting on new growth very quickly as well !
Karin Traylor (verified owner) –
I bought two of these last fall. One arrived in better condition than the other. One has since died, and the other is barely alive. I would love to have two more, but I am uneasy about ordering. All my other azaleas are beautiful and healthy. Not sure what the problem was/is.
Steve –
Hi Karin, feel free to reach out to us with details on where you planted your azalea: include details like if it gets morning or afternoon shade, if it’s planted under any trees, etc. You can email us at [email protected] and we’ll try to help you solve this!
John Lavery (verified owner) –
All 6 arrived in good shape. I was out purchasing Miracle Grow for planting at Home Depot and found the same plants in the good shape for almost half the price. I landed up buying a few more.
penalouis (verified owner) –
Over the years I’ve bought 3 different varieties of Encore azaleas. I got 3 of the BONFIRE variety and they’ve been fine after 2 years. I have an EMPRESS that’s been thriving after 6 years which has a phenomenal flower output. The BONFIRE color is beautiful and I hope the flower output improves to match the EMPRESS.
scottmb417 (verified owner) –
Just a follow up. Plants are in containers and have passed through the most dangerous part of the winter nicely. Even though it has been fairly mild for New England, the first half of winter had normal cold and snow.
Lee Butler (verified owner) –
Received Autumn Bonfire Encores and they are just beautiful! Thanx, again!
D.M. (verified owner) –
Plants arrived correct,healthy,good quality,packed safely for shipping.Special thanks to HortTube.
Scott (verified owner) –
Had a cold spring Received before real thaw, plants were blooming. Plants kept in basement had a little water shock. After getting outdoors, and in permanent locations plants thrived. Blooms just stopped-since arriving. Mid march-mid june with blooms. Plants have almost doubled in size and the 1 or 2 i thought had shock from too much water are coming along nicely as well Highly recommend these plants and the company.
Donnielle (verified owner) –
Received my beauties on 23 March 2019 in EXCELLENT condition, packaging was superb!!! However, when I planted them on the 26th (I had to work three 12 hour shifts) the root balls of all 6 completely fell apart (this is the reason for the rating!! Hopefully they will survive the transplant.
gmckenna (verified owner) –
second order on these – one arrived damaged by UPS – rest were perfect – one was immediately replaced
smelton (verified owner) –
Ordered and received 29 Encore azaleas (gallon size). All arrived in beautiful condition. The packaging and the quality of these plants is amazing, I will definitely will be a repeat customer.
gmckenna (verified owner) –
Shipping was very fast – arrived flawless – excellent job plants by mail !
sleeb5 (verified owner) –
Most beautiful healthy plants I have ever received online! Ever!
Cindy P. (verified owner) –
Just purchased 7 of these beauties. Arrived in a few dayd, well packed and moist soil. Minimal wear to the plants after packing and shipping. I couldn’t have got them home from the nursery in better condition. Plants by mail is now my Go-To nursery!!!
mjdidona (verified owner) –
Received within a week. Size, color and vigor of these plants is spectacular. Very impressive. I have never ever seen plants packaged as well as these. Have ordered 7 different Encore azaleas and will review after planting.
gina.dusterhoft (verified owner) –
Product came dry with most of the flower petals dead. I dead headed the flowers and am trying to save the 3 plants.
PlantsbyMail Customer Service –
After receiving this review, customer was contacted and plants were replaced.
Be sure to contact us if you have a problem with your order!