Red Formosa Azalea

Azalea indica ‘Red Formosa’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7b-10b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 6-8′

Width at Maturity: 6-8′

Spacing: 4-5′ for solid hedges; 10’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Rounded, Bushy

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: Fuchsia-Red

Flower Size: 3″

Flowering Period: Spring

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average, lower when established

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sandy (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 4.5 – 6.5 (Acid to Slightly Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Low, Average

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Heat, Humidity, Sun

Description

‘Red Formosa’ is perhaps the least known of the large growing heat and sun tolerant Southern Indica Hybrid Azaleas. We think that makes it special as you won’t see this one growing in as many landscapes across the South. In spring, Red Formosa produces a profusion of large (3-4 inch), flowers with striking fuchsia petals and red freckles red freckles. Unlike most azaleas, Southern Indicas are well known for their ability to tolerate full to mostly sun as well as part sun. Grows more rapidly than other types of azaleas in a large mound 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. A fine selection for a colorful natural hedge or screen in landscape and woodland borders.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, Red Formosa Azalea is most useful as a natural hedge or in small to large groupings in landscape borders. The plants perform exceptionally well under tall pine trees. Also ideal for use as accents, corner plants or as espalier against large open walls in home foundation plantings. Lower branches can also be removed to form an attractive small evergreen tree serves well as a focal point in the landscape or large containers. A fine addition to Azalea gardens, purple theme gardens and cottage gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 4 to 5 feet apart for solid hedges; 10 feet apart for space between plants

How To Measure Total Square Feet Of A Planting Area

How Many Plants Needed To Cover A Planting Area?

Note: For our customers who live and garden north of USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b, where this Azalea variety is not winter hardy outdoors, you can enjoy growing it in containers that can be moved indoors during winter and placed back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

Growing Preferences

Southern Indica Azaleas are easy to grow, preferring a moist but well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter and full sun to part shade. That said, though full sun is tolerated, we think all azaleas perform and look their best when receiving some filtered sunlight during the hottest part of summer afternoons. Established plants have good drought tolerance and require little to no pruning.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Azaleas.

Planting Evergreen Azaleas In The Ground & In Pots

Fertilizing & Watering Evergreen Azaleas

Pruning Evergreen Azaleas

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Questions? Contact Us!

I’m a Savannah girl, home of gorgeous azaleas! I love the very large Formosa azaleas and my number one source for these plants is Wilson Bros. The plants they send me are beautful and they are in PERFECT condition, ready to make my yard their new home. I buy 1 gallon plants because digging is difficult for me, but I can always dig a hole large enough for a one gallon. I’m pleased with the size availability ( 1, 2 and 3 gallon) and the wide variety of species Wilson Bros offers. And of course, I love free shipping. Wilson brothers is my quick, dependable source for all Formosa and Encore azaleas!———————————————–Wow! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

a very nice azalea will fit into my bonsai collection. color will be awesome this spring can’t wait. will buy more from this nursery. well packed and cared for.—————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Product was packed and shipped perfectly. Both plants were quality plants which should have no trouble growing and making it through the summer and winter. Thanks for all the great care you took to make sure i got a quality product…will definately buy here again.———————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Received the Red Formosa Azalea in perfect condition. Plant was much larger than I anticipated and began growing immediately! Very pleased.————————————-Thanks for the kind words!! We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Very nice plants and wonderful packing job. Thank you!——————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I have been extremely happy with the several plants I have ordered this past month or so. Each and every one of them has been package & shipped with care. One or two seemed a bit lacking in size but after planting seem to be doing well. Will continue to order from Wilson as their plant selection far exceeds anything locally in Florida.——————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thamks for the kind words! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

My azaleas arrived in great shape and are doing beautifully in the garden. I look forward to bloom time in the spring. Five stars for packaging and size.—————————–Thanks for the great review! We are so glad you are pleased! Beth | WBG

The plants arrived in excellent condition and were larger than I had expected so won’t take so long to achieve a good size.———————————————————-Hi Casandra, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Red Formosa Azalea. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens