Western azalea, Rhododendron occidentale, is native to Southern Oregon and Northern California, west of the Cascades, occupying a variety of habitats from streambeds to coastal bluffs. It thrives in sunny locations where moisture is plentiful. In the wild it will grow as much as 10' tall and wide, but tends to be much smaller in the home garden environment. In June, Western azalea puts on its show. Its showy clusters of fragrant flowers are variable in color, ranging from almost white to rosy pink and salmon, all with a large golden spot on the inside of the upper petal.

In the Buck Lake Native Plant Garden, our Western azaleas are located along side the main path, in the bed anchored by the huge Douglas fir. If you want to grow Rhododendron occidentale in your own garden, you will need to provide plenty of moisture, a well-mulched root-zone and good air circulation. It is a slow-growing shrub, that resents crowding.

Western azalea is a larval host for Hoary Comma butterfly.