Encore Azalea Varieties Are Resistant to Lace Bugs

When you plant Encore Azaleas, you can say good-bye to lace bugs. Read on to learn why...

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In a 2009 USDA study, eleven varieties of Encore Azaleas were found to be resistant to lace bugs, meaning Encore Azaleas can play an important role in eco-friendly pest control!

The study, conducted at the USDA-ARS Thad Cochran Horticultural Research Laboratory in Poplarville, Miss., examined 19 varieties of Encore Azalea for host plant resistance to lace bugs. Study details can be found at www.ars.usda.gov.

Research entomologist Grant Kirker reports, “Host plant resistance is an environmentally friendly, low-tech, low-cost method of control that reduces the need for pesticides to manage azalea lace bugs.” Researchers are hopeful that this new knowledge will lead eventually to the breeding of pest-free cultivars.

Which Encore Azalea varieties are lace bug resistant?

The Encore Azalea cultivars found to be lace bug resistant include:

Autumn Amethyst

Autumn Royalty

Autumn Cheer

Autumn Twist

Autumn Sangria

Autumn Rouge

Cultivars showing moderate resistance:

Autumn Embers

Autumn Bravo

Autumn Starlite

Autumn Ruby

Autumn Princess

How do you know if your Encore Azaleas have been affected by lace bugs?

lacebugLace bugs can leave a yellowish stippling on the upper and lower leaf surface.

If you notice the discoloration, turn the leaves over and look for tarry black spots and the shed skins of nymphs.

Adult lace bugs are slightly longer than an eighth of an inch and their wings and body coverings have a characteristic lacy appearance. Severe infestations can lead to reduced plant vigor and loss of leaves.

If you see signs of infestation, ask your local garden center to suggest an insecticides or insecticidal soap.

The key to control is applying the insecticide to the underside of the leaves where the lace bugs live. Because there can be as many as three generations of lace bugs each growing season, you must keep your eye on the plant and treat when new damage is noticed.

If you’ve planted the varieties of Encore Azalea listed above, you’ll have less to worry about!

To browse the full Encore Azalea Collection, click here.

For more garden ideas, click here.

Encore Azalea is the best azalea you’ll ever plant. Encore Azaleas are the world’s best-selling re-blooming azalea with rich, colorful blooms in spring, summer and fall. Encore Azaleas have 31 varieties of bloom colors and sizes to choose from and thrive equally well in high filtered shade or sunny locations – unlike any other azalea in the world. Find a retailer near you at www.encoreazalea.com.