Autumn Kiss azalea wins Retailers’ Choice Awards
Autumn Kiss, the newest addition to the Encore Azalea collection, was named a Cultivate Retailers’ Choice Awards winner during Cultivate’25 on July 14.
The azalea was selected as one of 15 winners among 53 nominated products. Growers and retailers noted its compact size, resilient growth and distinct color pattern that transitions from hot pink to light pink.
Robert “Buddy” Lee, director of plant innovation at Plant Development Services and founder of Encore Azalea, said the plant stood out after years of evaluation.
“With Autumn Kiss, as with most of the plants I breed, it wasn’t love at the very first bloom,” Lee said. “But as it matured, that first spring brought this incredible blast of color, and it flowered so vigorously it almost looked as though it had been greenhouse-treated.”
In addition to its bloom color, industry professionals noted the variety’s strong root system, tolerance to heat and environmental stressors, and versatility in landscapes, raised beds or containers. Autumn Kiss is expected to reach 3 to 4 feet at maturity and requires minimal pruning.
The recognition highlights ongoing breeding efforts in the Encore program, which now includes 37 azalea varieties. The program continues to focus on compact forms, diverse flower colors and traits that improve performance for both growers and landscape professionals.
Autumn Kiss is currently available to growers and will be offered to consumers in spring 2026.
Photos courtesy of Plant Development Services.
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