Azalea Care Jacksonville FL: Growing Guide for Zone 9a/9b

Drive through Riverside or Avondale in March, and you'll see why azaleas are a Jacksonville staple. When they're blooming, they're spectacular—masses of pink, red, white, and purple that transform entire yards. When they're struggling, they're scraggly, yellowed, and disappointing.

Azaleas aren't hard to grow here, but they have specific needs that don't match our native soil. I've installed and maintained azaleas in Jacksonville landscapes for years, and the difference between thriving plants and struggling ones usually comes down to three things: soil pH, water management, and variety selection.

Why Azaleas Work Well in Jacksonville

Jacksonville's climate is nearly perfect for azaleas. We're in Zones 9a and 9b, which means mild winters (azaleas need some chill to set buds), warm springs for flowering, and enough summer heat that Southern Indica varieties thrive.

Our challenges aren't temperature-related—they're soil-based. Azaleas are ericaceous plants that need acidic, organic-rich soil. Jacksonville's native sandy soil is acidic (good), but it drains too fast and contains almost no organic matter (bad). You'll need to amend soil and maintain it over time.

The payoff is worth it. Azaleas are long-lived, relatively low-maintenance once established, and they provide structure and color to shaded areas where few other flowering shrubs perform well.

Best Azalea Varieties for Jacksonville

Not all azaleas are created equal. In North Florida, you want heat-tolerant Southern Indica and Kurume types. Avoid Glenn Dale and Gable hybrids—they're bred for colder climates and struggle with our summer heat.

Southern Indica Azaleas

These are the large-growing azaleas you see as foundation plants on older homes in San Marco and Ortega. They can reach 8-10 feet tall and wide if unpruned.

Formosa: Massive magenta-purple blooms. Vigorous grower. This is the azalea you see completely engulfing old houses—it'll grow 10 feet tall easily. Tolerates more sun than most azaleas.

Judge Solomon: Large pale pink flowers. Vigorous and reliable. One of the most disease-resistant Southern Indicas.

George Lindley Taber: Pink flowers with white throats. Medium growth rate. Handles Jacksonville's heat particularly well.

Mrs. G.G. Gerbing: Pure white blooms. Slower growing than Formosa but eventually reaches 6-8 feet.

Pride of Mobile: Deep watermelon pink. Compact for a Southern Indica (5-6 feet). Good for smaller landscapes.

Kurume Azaleas

Kurume types stay smaller (3-5 feet) and have smaller but more abundant flowers. They're ideal for borders, mass plantings, or smaller yards.

Coral Bells: Coral-pink blooms. Compact growth, dense habit. Excellent for edging.

Hino Crimson: Brilliant red flowers. Small leaves, dense growth. One of the best red azaleas for Jacksonville.

Snow: Pure white blooms. Low, spreading habit. Great ground cover azalea for larger spaces.

Pink Pearl: Salmon-pink flowers. Vigorous for a Kurume type. Handles part sun.

Native Azaleas (Worth Considering)

Florida flame azalea (Rhododendron austrinum) is native to North Florida and worth considering if you want something different. It's deciduous (loses leaves in winter), blooms in spring with fragrant yellow to orange flowers, and is perfectly adapted to our conditions.

Trade-offs: Native azaleas look wilder and less formal than evergreen types. They won't give you the dense, sculpted look of Southern Indicas. But they require zero soil amendment, handle our sandy soil naturally, and support native pollinators.

Site Selection and Planting

Light Requirements

Azaleas prefer filtered shade or morning sun with afternoon shade. In Jacksonville's summer heat, full sun stresses them and fades flowers quickly.

Ideal locations:

• Under pine or oak canopies (not directly beneath dense live oak where it's too dark)
• East-facing exposures (morning sun, afternoon shade)
• North sides of buildings
• Under tall trees with filtered light

What to avoid: Western exposures (brutal afternoon sun) and deep shade (they'll grow leggy and bloom poorly).

Exception: Formosa and a few other vigorous Southern Indicas can handle more sun than typical azaleas, especially if watered consistently.

Soil Preparation

This is where most people go wrong. Azaleas need acidic soil (pH 4.5-6.0) rich in organic matter. Jacksonville's sand is acidic enough, but it lacks structure and organic content.

How to prepare the bed:

1. Test your soil pH: Use a home test kit or send a sample to the UF/IFAS Extension lab. If pH is above 6.5, you'll need to acidify it.

2. Amend generously: For an azalea bed, work in 3-4 inches of organic matter across the entire planting area. Use a mix of:

   • Aged pine bark (excellent for azaleas)
   • Compost
   • Peat moss (acidic and helps retain moisture)
   • Aged cow manure

3. Don't dig deep: Azaleas have shallow, fibrous roots. Work amendments into the top 10-12 inches of soil. Going deeper doesn't help and can create drainage problems.

4. Create a slight berm: If your site has any drainage concerns, plant azaleas on a low, wide mound. They tolerate drought better than soggy roots.

Planting Process

Timing: Plant azaleas in fall (October-November) or late winter (February-March). Avoid planting in summer heat—it stresses plants and increases watering demands.

Spacing:

• Southern Indicas: 5-7 feet apart (closer if you want them to fill in faster)
• Kurume types: 3-4 feet apart
• Foundation plantings: Plant 4-5 feet from the house to allow for mature growth

Steps:

1. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and 2-3 times as wide.
2. Rough up the root ball if roots are circling (azaleas in containers often get root-bound).
3. Set the plant so the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above ground level. Planting too deep causes root rot.
4. Backfill with the amended soil mix.
5. Create a shallow basin around the plant to hold water.
6. Water thoroughly.
7. Mulch with 2-3 inches of pine bark or pine straw. Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk.

Watering Requirements

Azaleas have shallow roots that dry out quickly in our sandy soil, but they also hate wet feet. Balance is key.

New Plants (First Year)

Water 2-3 times per week during the growing season (spring through fall) unless it rains. The goal is to keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Check soil moisture by digging down 2-3 inches—if it's dry, water.

Established Plants

Once established (after one full year), azaleas in Jacksonville can usually survive on rainfall except during dry spells. Our typical summer afternoon thunderstorms provide enough water.

Watch for drought stress: Leaves will wilt, curl, or look dull. Water deeply (soak the root zone thoroughly) rather than frequent light watering.

Spring flowering period: Make sure azaleas have adequate water in late winter/early spring when they're blooming. Drought during bloom causes flowers to fade quickly and flower bud drop.

Irrigation Tips

Soaker hoses or drip irrigation work better than overhead sprinklers. They deliver water directly to roots without wetting foliage (which can encourage fungal diseases in our humidity).

Deep, infrequent watering encourages deeper rooting than frequent shallow watering. Aim for 1 inch of water per week when it's not raining.

Fertilizing Azaleas in Jacksonville

Azaleas don't need heavy feeding, but they do need the right type of fertilizer. Our sandy soil leaches nutrients quickly, so consistent light feeding works better than heavy annual applications.

Fertilizer Type

Use acid-forming fertilizers formulated for azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons. These products contain the right balance of nutrients and include sulfur to maintain acidic pH.

Look for:

• N-P-K ratio around 4-3-4 or similar (lower nitrogen to avoid excessive foliage growth)
• Contains sulfur (for acidity)
• Includes micronutrients (especially iron, which azaleas need in acidic soil)

Good options: Espoma Holly-tone, Hi-Yield Azalea Food, any brand labeled for acid-loving plants.

Fertilizing Schedule

Young plants (first 2-3 years): Fertilize lightly three times per year—early spring (February), after flowering (late April/May), and mid-summer (July). Use half the recommended rate.

Established plants: Fertilize twice per year—early spring before new growth and after flowering. Use the recommended rate on the package.

Application method: Broadcast granular fertilizer evenly over the root zone (extend out to the drip line, not just around the trunk). Water thoroughly after applying.

Signs of Nutrient Deficiency

Yellowing leaves with green veins (chlorosis): Iron deficiency. Apply chelated iron or an acidifying fertilizer. Check soil pH—chlorosis often means pH has drifted too high.

Overall pale color, slow growth: Nitrogen deficiency. Apply azalea fertilizer at recommended rate.

Poor flowering: Usually caused by improper pruning (cutting off flower buds), but can also indicate potassium deficiency. Ensure balanced fertilization.

Pruning Azaleas Properly

Azaleas bloom on old wood, meaning flower buds form in summer for next spring's bloom. Improper pruning removes flower buds and ruins the next year's show.

When to Prune

Right after flowering (late March through May): This is your window. Azaleas set next year's buds in June-July. Pruning before they bloom removes this year's flowers. Pruning after they've set buds removes next year's flowers.

Never prune in fall or winter: You'll cut off flower buds and get no spring blooms.

How Much to Prune

Light shaping: Remove spent flowers (deadhead) after bloom. Trim back any leggy branches or wayward growth. Remove dead or damaged wood.

Moderate pruning: Cut back branches by 1/3 to 1/2 if plants have outgrown their space. Make cuts just above a leaf node or branch junction.

Renovation pruning: Severely overgrown azaleas can be cut back hard (to 12-18 inches) in late spring. They'll grow back and bloom the following year. Do this sparingly—it's stressful for plants.

Tools

Use sharp bypass pruners for branches up to 3/4 inch. Use loppers for larger branches. Clean cuts heal faster and reduce disease risk. Disinfect tools between plants with rubbing alcohol or bleach solution (especially if you've pruned any diseased wood).

Common Problems and Solutions

Lace Bugs

These are the #1 pest problem on azaleas in Jacksonville. Look for stippling or silvery discoloration on top of leaves, with dark spots (excrement) on the underside. The bugs themselves are tiny and mostly on leaf undersides.

Control: Horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Spray undersides of leaves thoroughly. You'll need repeat applications—lace bugs have multiple generations per year in our climate.

Prevention: Lace bugs prefer stressed plants in full sun. Proper siting and care reduce infestations.

Root Rot (Phytophthora)

Symptoms include wilting despite adequate water, yellowing leaves, and eventual plant death. Root rot is caused by a fungus that thrives in soggy soil.

Prevention is key: Proper drainage and avoiding overwatering prevents root rot. Once a plant is infected, there's no cure.

What to do: Remove and destroy infected plants. Don't replant azaleas in the same spot unless you improve drainage significantly or plant on a berm.

Yellowing Leaves (Chlorosis)

If leaves turn yellow while veins stay green, it's usually iron chlorosis caused by high soil pH or poor drainage.

Fix it:

1. Test soil pH. If above 6.5, apply sulfur to lower it.
2. Apply chelated iron as a quick fix.
3. Improve drainage if the soil stays wet.
4. Use acidifying fertilizers regularly.

Flower Bud Drop

Buds form but drop before opening. Causes include late freeze damage, drought stress during bud swell, or lace bug damage.

Solutions: Water consistently in late winter/early spring. Protect plants during rare hard freezes. Control lace bugs year-round.

Overgrowth

Azaleas outgrowing their space is common, especially with Southern Indicas. Don't try to constantly shear them into boxes—it removes flowers and looks unnatural.

Better approach: Choose varieties appropriate for your space. Prune selectively right after flowering to manage size. If they've become severely overgrown, do a one-time renovation pruning.

Maintaining Soil Quality Over Time

Azalea beds need ongoing soil management. Our sandy soil breaks down organic matter quickly, and heavy rain leaches nutrients.

Annual tasks:

• Refresh mulch each spring to 2-3 inches depth
• Top-dress with compost or aged manure annually
• Test soil pH every 2-3 years and adjust if needed
• Monitor for signs of nutrient deficiency

Think of it as a soil maintenance program rather than one-and-done. The better you maintain soil quality, the healthier your azaleas will be long-term.

Landscape Design with Azaleas

Mass plantings: Azaleas look best in groups of 3-5 of the same variety. Single specimens don't have the same impact.

Color coordination: White and pink varieties blend well together. Mix in purples carefully—they can clash with some pinks. Reds stand alone or pair with white.

Layering: Use taller Southern Indicas behind shorter Kurume types. Add perennials like hostas or ferns in front for a layered look.

Seasonal interest: Azaleas bloom for 2-4 weeks. Combine them with plants that provide interest at other times—camellias (winter bloom), gardenias (summer fragrance), sasanqua camellias (fall bloom).

Jacksonville has the climate for spectacular azaleas. Proper soil prep, smart variety selection, and appropriate care will give you those Riverside-worthy blooms every spring. The key is working with their needs instead of against them—acidic soil, consistent moisture, and timely pruning. Get those right, and azaleas are some of the most rewarding plants you can grow here.