Western Azalea

I thought I would place these beauties on the blog for everyone. This is one of our beautiful rhododendron natives. I photographed this at the Rhododendron Species Foundation Garden in Federal Way. It is one of the loveliest rhododendrons on the planet in my opinion, and it grows in the Northwest.  I say that with complete lack of bias. (Never mind my tongue firmly planted in my cheek.)

I give you Rhododendron occidentale. Click on images to view larger.

Difficult to grow outside the Pacific Northwest and California, Rhododendron occidentale is a choice native plant for a Northwest garden. It is found in thickets around moist areas, seepages and creek sides in the mountains and foothills along the Pacific coast of southwest Oregon to southern California. Kruckeberg recommends planting our native azalea “in massed plantings, interspersed with evergreens.” What a delight that is to view; in addition, the fragrance of a massed planting—intoxicating.

The western azalea is used extensively, in breeding programs, as a parent plant for many highly sought after hybrids, especially for adding fragrance. Some of its offspring include ‘Delicatissimum’, ‘Exquisitum’ and ‘Irene Koster’.  All won the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993. Although its progeny grows easily outside our region, R. occidentale itself is not easy to maintain outside the maritime Pacific Northwest and California, especially in areas where the weather is hot and humid.

Comments

[John Perkins]

Very nice.

Here are images of our trip to the Rhododendron Species Foundation.

http://arsmc.org/documents/VictoriaARS2005.xml?p3pc1cs640s

[Les]

Beautiful shot! We have such a hard time growing Rhodos here, I have killed as many as I have planted. It is bizarre considering that Azaleas grow like weeds.

[JeanneK]

Gorgeous! I have been planning to get one to add to my native garden. Very nice pics! I love the delicate cream/pink/peach coloring and the fawn colored spots. Normally, I like hot colors but this color combo is sooo nice.