Formosa Azalea

It is tough to beat Formosa Azalea flowers for their colorful appearance, shape, or as a draw for hummingbirds. The pinkish-lavender flowers open in spring, revealing a darker center of color. The showy color display rises above deep green and delicate leaves. As the shrub grows, the color show gets even larger, eventually filling the 8-foot tall azalea with big, deep pink-purple flowers perfect for an Asian-inspired garden or near a water feature.Formosa Azalea foliage stays on the shrub through winter, even after flowers fade. The full shrub is an excellent addition to the landscape for winter color and privacy screens. And even though it grows tall, you can trim it back to as short as 4 feet to suit your screening needs. Massing several Formosa azaleas together creates a spring color explosion and plenty of winter green. This azalea can handle partial or full sun in most landscapes in zones 8 through 9.Formosa Azalea CareFormosa Azalea prefers soil that is acidic and likes regular watering. After planting, add a 2-inch layer of pine bark to help add some acid and keep soil moist (but leave some space around the lower trunk). You also can plant your azalea near pine trees or other deep-rooted trees, especially where it will get morning sun and afternoon shade. Water the plant more in peak heat and prune after the shrub is done blooming in late spring, adding a balanced azalea fertilizer.Formosa Azalea SpacingFor a show stopping hedge, plant Formosa Azaleas about 4 feet apart from each plant’s center; they grow to about 4 feet wide.Formosa Azalea Plant FactsUSDA Hardiness Zones: 8-9Flower Color(s): Purplish-pinkBloom Period: Early springFoliage Color(s): GreenLight Exposure: Partial Shade to Partial SunHeight: 4-8 FeetSpread: 4-8 FeetHabit: UprightWatering: MediumFeatures: Showy Spring Flowers, Attracts ButterfliesScientific Name: Azalea indica ‘Formosa’Common Name: Formosa Azalea