Evergreen Shrubs (Flowering) – Formosa Azaleas

• Formosa Azalea

Botanical name: Rhododendron indica 

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: 4-8 ft in height and 4-8 ft in spread

Bloom time: Early spring, sometimes has a second bloom in the fall

Hardy zone: Zones 4-10

Flower color: Soft lavender/pink/magenta/purple

Foliage color: Green 

Growth rate: Less than a foot a year 

Pruning instructions: Remove dead or diseased branches as needed. Light pruning to maintain a certain size or shape is safe at any time, but recommended after the first blooming cycle of the spring

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: Mass planting, specimen, foundation plant, border, or hedge

Light needs:  Full sun to partial shade, minimum of 4 hours of sun a day

Special features: Showy spring flowers, attracts butterflies 

Watering instructions:  Provide supplementary watering 2-3 times a week during the first growing season. Drought tolerant once established

Fertilizing instructions : Apply a phosphate fertilizer before the first blooming period to encourage brighter flowers with longer blooming cycles

Best time to plant: spring or early fall

Best type of soil: sandy or loamy 

Companion plants: ferns, mountain laurel, boxwood

Toxicity level: mildly toxic for humans and severely toxic to pets if ingested

Invasive species: no