Rhododendron occidentale

WESTERN AZALEA
Family: Ericaceae
Pronounced: roe-doe-DEN-dron ok-sih-den-TAH-lee

Difficult to grow outside the Pacific Northwest and California, Rhododendron occidentale is a choice native plant for a Northwest garden. This 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.

Ethnobotany

The Western azalea was used as decorations in dance wreaths by the Pomo and Kashaya tribes people in California. The Modesse people used it as an antidote to poisoning. (Do not use as a remedy, call your local poison control center or 911 in case of poisoning.)

In the Garden

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 hybrids easily grow outside our region, R. occidentale is not easy to grow outside the maritime Pacific Northwest and California, especially in areas where the weather is hot and humid.

All photos and article copyright 2009.
Debbie Teashon