The Red Formosa Azalea (Rhododendron ‘Red Formosa’) is a vigorous, sun-tolerant Southern Indica azalea that puts on a jaw-dropping spring show. Each March and April the deep-green evergreen foliage all but disappears beneath large, 3 to 4 inch blooms in a vivid purplish-red (deep fuchsia) with plum freckles, a display you will notice from clear across the yard. As a result, fast-growing and upright, the Red Formosa Azalea makes a spectacular flowering hedge, screen, or specimen, and it handles sun and Southern heat better than most azaleas.

Why Grow a Red Formosa Azalea?

Spectacular spring bloom – large purplish-red (deep fuchsia) flowers smother the whole plant in spring.
Evergreen & fast-growing – dark green foliage year-round on a vigorous, upright plant that fills in quickly.
Sun- and heat-tolerant – also one of the toughest azaleas for warm climates and bright sites.
Flowering privacy – perfect for hedges, screens, and foundation plantings that bloom.
Pollinator-friendly – especially good for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which the open, showy flowers draw in.

Looking for more flowering shrubs? Browse our Flowering Plants and Shrubs & Bushes collections.

Plant Specifications at a Glance

Botanical name: Rhododendron ‘Red Formosa’ (Southern Indica hybrid azalea)
Plant type: Broadleaf evergreen flowering shrub
Plant family: Ericaceae (the heath family)
Mature size: about 6–8 feet tall and 4–6 feet wide (often kept around 4 feet with pruning)
Flowers: Large, single, purplish-red (deep fuchsia) blooms in spring, sometimes with light fall rebloom in mild climates
Foliage: Dense, deep-green evergreen leaves
Notable traits: Sun- and heat-tolerant; moderately salt-tolerant; pollinator-friendly; fast-growing
Cold Hardiness Zones: 7–9

Red Formosa Azalea Care & Growing Guide

Azaleas reward a little attention with an unforgettable bloom. Follow these guidelines:

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade. Specifically, it is more sun-tolerant than most azaleas, but the best flowering comes with morning sun and dappled afternoon shade.
Water: Azaleas have shallow roots, so water newly planted shrubs about an inch per week (more in extreme heat) and keep the soil consistently moist, never soggy. In addition, mulch to conserve moisture.
Soil: Acidic, organically rich, moist but well-drained soil. Because it dislikes wet feet, improve drainage or use raised beds in heavy clay. Also, avoid planting near walnut, pecan, or hickory trees.
Cold Hardiness Zone: 7–9. In addition, shelter it from strong, drying winds.
Feeding & pruning: Feed with an azalea/camellia (acid-loving) fertilizer just after bloom. Prune or shear immediately after flowering, since it blooms on old wood, so avoid summer pruning, which removes next year’s buds.

Good to know: all parts of azaleas are toxic to people and pets if eaten (they contain grayanotoxins). Therefore, plant accordingly and keep them away from curious children and animals.

Ways to Use Red Formosa Azalea in the Landscape

This bold spring bloomer anchors flowering, evergreen designs. Popular uses for the Red Formosa Azalea include:

Flowering hedge or evergreen privacy screen
Also foundation plantings and shrub borders
Specimen or accent for a spring focal point
Similarly, mass plantings in woodland and shade gardens
Large containers on shaded patios

It pairs beautifully with other acid-loving Southern shrubs. For example, gardeners often combine it with the burgundy Ruby Loropetalum, fragrant August Beauty Gardenia, or Frostproof Gardenia.

What You’ll Receive

These are live Red Formosa Azalea starter plants, grown and shipped by Carlo’s Plant Farm. Each plant is less than 12 inches tall when we ship it. The listing photos show mature plants of the same species. That way, you can see how yours will look as they grow and bloom. Finally, choose your preferred bundle size using the options above.

Also, due to different state laws, we reserve the right to charge extra fees where necessary to comply.

Ordering, Shipping & Returns

Every order ships free and is insured against loss or damage in transit. For full details on how we pack and send your plants, processing and delivery times, and what to do in the rare case of a problem, please review our Shipping Policy and Terms & Conditions before purchasing. By placing an order, you agree to those terms.

Red Formosa Azalea FAQ

Growing & Care Questions

What is a Red Formosa Azalea?

It is a vigorous, sun-tolerant Southern Indica azalea, Rhododendron Red Formosa, that puts on a jaw-dropping spring show. Notably, each spring its deep-green evergreen foliage all but disappears beneath large, 3 to 4 inch purplish-red (deep fuchsia) blooms with plum freckles.

When does the Red Formosa Azalea bloom?

It blooms heavily in spring, typically March and April. As a result, you get a dramatic flush of color you can spot from clear across the yard. In mild climates it sometimes adds a light fall rebloom.

How big does the Red Formosa Azalea get?

It reaches about 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, with a fast, upright habit. However, it is often kept around 4 feet with pruning, making it a great flowering hedge.

How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?

For a flowering hedge, space plants about 3 to 4 feet apart. That spacing lets the upright shrubs grow together into a solid, blooming screen.

How much sun does it need?

It is more sun-tolerant than most azaleas, taking full sun to partial shade. However, the best flowering comes with morning sun and dappled afternoon shade.

Safety, Hardiness & Shipping Questions

How should I water and feed it?

Azaleas have shallow roots, so water about an inch per week, more in extreme heat, and keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. In addition, feed with an azalea or camellia (acid-loving) fertilizer just after bloom.

What kind of soil does it need?

It needs acidic, organically rich, moist but well-drained soil. Because it dislikes wet feet, improve drainage or use raised beds in heavy clay. Also, avoid planting near walnut, pecan, or hickory trees.

When should I prune the Red Formosa Azalea?

Prune or shear immediately after flowering, since it blooms on old wood. Therefore, avoid summer pruning, which removes next year buds.

Is the Red Formosa Azalea toxic?

Yes. All parts of azaleas are toxic to people and pets if eaten, because they contain grayanotoxins. Therefore, plant accordingly and keep them away from curious children and animals.

What size plants will I receive?

You will receive live Red Formosa Azalea starter plants. Each one is under 12 inches tall at shipping, grown and shipped by Carlo’s Plant Farm. The listing photos show mature plants of the same species. So you can see how yours will look as they grow and bloom. Finally, choose your bundle size using the options above.

Red Formosa Azalea (Rhododendron) vivid purplish-red spring blooms

Red Formosa azalea covered in magenta-red flowers

Click to enlarge

Red Formosa Southern Indica azalea flowering shrub

Red Formosa azalea deep fuchsia blooms close-up

Red Formosa azalea evergreen hedge in bloom

Carlos Plant Farm

Red Formosa Azalea – Rhododendron ‘Red Formosa’ (Southern Indica Evergreen Azalea, Live Starter Plants)

Price range: $33.79 through $178.32

Light up spring with a live Red Formosa Azalea (Rhododendron ‘Red Formosa’). This vigorous, sun-tolerant Southern Indica azalea smothers itself in large, vivid purplish-red (deep fuchsia) blooms each spring, set against deep-green evergreen foliage. Fast-growing and upright at 6–8 feet, it makes a spectacular flowering hedge, screen, or specimen and handles Southern sun and heat better than most azaleas. Pollinator-friendly and moderately salt-tolerant. Shipped as a healthy live starter plant (under 12 inches tall) by Carlos Plant Farm. Cold hardy in USDA zones 7–9; all parts are toxic if eaten.

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