In mid to late spring, it bears abundant rounded clusters of 10 to 15, trumpet-shaped, vibrant reddish-purple flowers. Protect their shallow roots with a mulch of oak leaves or pine needles and their foliage with woven material such as burlap screens. It would seem that rhododendrons are native to the Northwest, the superb way they thrive both in the cultivated garden and wild forest floor. Attractive landscape plants in cool and moist climates, many varieties have been struggling in the U.S. Pacific Northwest region as a result of sea coast winds and other tough conditions. Raised and introduced by Gable, 'Rosebud' is extremely cold hardy and regarded as the best pink rose-form full double Azalea. The following is a list of Azaleas and Rhododendrons recognized as proven performers in the Pacific Northwest region. Join now and start creating your dream garden! Small and round, the aromatic leaves open pale blue, deepen to blue-green before getting bronze-tinged in fall and winter. A fabulous double-flowered Azalea, multiple award-winning Rhododendron 'Rosebud' is a small, compact evergreen shrub which produces incredibly beautiful rosy-pink flowers, 1.5 in. A very reliable performer, this showy Rhododendron is tough and can withstand temperatures as low as -25ºF (-32ºC). Wild Pacific Rhododendron, also called coast rhododendron, is a beautiful native shrub of the Pacific Northwest that starts to bloom in late April and early May on low elevations to late May and late June on higher elevations in the mountains. Check these Great Plant Combination Most cultivated rhododendrons are hybrid, often of Asian and North American species. Of course rhododendrons are neither a rose nor a tree. Since frost flows downward, avoid planting them in low-lying spots known to be frost pockets. They’re found mainly in Asia but are also widespread in the mountains of the American Pacific Northwest as well as in the highlands of the Appalachian Mountains. Rhodies and Azaleas have shallow root systems and prefer a thin layer of mulch, under 1". Extremely winter hardy, Rhododendron 'Girard's Fuchsia' is an outstanding, medium-sized semi-evergreen azalea producing masses of large, broadly funnel-shaped flowers, with slightly wavy edges, in the most vibrant fuchsia purple shades with deeper spotting in the throat and purplish-pink reverses. **Use of articles and photos on this site is permitted for educational purposes only. But those rhododendrons, which have become such a mainstay in Pacific Northwest flora, are relative newcomers to these parts and have been plucked by enchanted plant hunters from China and the Himalayas. Ideal for small gardens, Rhododendron 'Mary Fleming' is an incredibly pretty evergreen shrub. Wild plants are legally protected from digging [7,33]. Rhododendron macrophyllum literally means, “Rose tree with big leaves.”  It is the state flower of Washington State. Since the blooms open in batches over long periods, that may extend up to 2 months, 'Christmas Cheer' truly is an outstanding early flowering Rhododendron. Home Forums > Pacific Northwest of North America > Pacific Northwest Native Plants > Rhododendron camschaticum. Most are found in China, Japan and neighboring countries; tropical species are found from Southeast Asia to New Guinea and Northern Australia. Distribution: The Pacific Rhododendron is found west of the Cascades from southern British Columbia to Northern California. Ideas with Rhododendrons - Azaleas, Extend the Blooming Season of your Azaleas and Rhododendrons, Choosing Perfect Azaleas and Rhododendrons, Beautiful Azaleas and Rhododendrons for the Midwest, Beautiful Azaleas and Rhododendrons for the Mid-Atlantic Region, A Spectacular Spring Border Idea with Brilliant Tulips and Cotinus, A Four-Season Border with Evergreen Conifers and Japanese Maples, A Super Climbing Duo with Crimson Roses and Purple Clematis, A Late Season Border Idea with Asters and Grasses, A Glowing Fall Border with Asters, Dogwood and Grasses, A Treasured Winter Border Idea with Hellebores, Sedge and Dogwood, Azaleas - Rhododendrons, Rhododendrons - Azaleas, Beautiful Azaleas and Rhododendrons for the Pacific Northwest Region. Native plants like Pacific rhododendron have potential value for low-water-use landscaping . Choose a site with dappled shade in sheltered conditions. Since the frost damage is generally caused when the early morning sun strikes the plants' frozen tissues, you should site your Azalea or Rhododendron where both leaves and flowers are protected from the early morning sun, and where they will adapt slowly to the increasing temperatures of the day. Seed capsules ripen August to September. The foliage of elliptic, light green leaves provides excellent fall color and is mildew resistant. Chrysomyxa spp. Avoid deep shade beneath other trees. are also now often lumped into the Rhododendron genus. Blooming in mid to late spring, it displays an abundance of ball-shaped trusses, each counting up to 13-15 trumpet-shaped flowers, about 2 in. It commonly grows along roadsides in the rainshadow of the Olympic Mountains. Free-flowering and extremely cold-hardy, Rhododendron 'Dora Amateis' is a remarkable small evergreen shrub. Rhodos are happiest in well draining, acidic soil receiving only part sun. Create spectacular spring borders like this one. Names: The Pacific Rhododendron is also known as the Coast Rhododendron, California Rhododendron, or California Rosebay. Our own rhododendron is an understory plant, a leggy, sprawling shrub measuring ten to twenty feet in height, reaching upward as it searches for sunlight under its companion coniferous trees. Create splendid winter combinations like this one. Even winter brings its charm, when the well-balanced branching structure of this Azalea is fully revealed. The large floral trusses are visually compelling with their 5 to 25, flaring, trumpet-shaped, sparkling white flowers, sometimes tinged with pink and marked with a bright yellow to orange spot. It can enter through wounds. The flowering shrub grows along the coast of California, Oregon, Washington, and into British Columbia. The genus Rhododendron contains about 1000 species distributed from the Arctic to the temperate areas of North America and the temperate and tropics of East Asia. Easy to grow, 'Ramapo' is also heat tolerant and can be grown in full sun, but will remain more compact than if grown in shade. But there over 900 species of rhododendron and countless more thousands of hybrids that are not native to this area. To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of our site. With some of the prettiest flowers, Rhododendron 'Ken Janeck' is a broadleaf evergreen rhododendron which, in mid spring, displays abundant clusters of about 13 to 17 soft pink trumpet-shaped flowers. Blooming in late spring, the blossoms of this midseason rhododendron cover the shrub in a brilliant color display. Gray) A. Cause Chrysomyxa piperiana is probably the main species on native R. macrophyllum in Oregon and has the alternate host, Sitka spruce, which is reported in Oregon. Pacific Rhododendron is also useful for erosion control on steep watersheds. Western Azalea The Heath Family– Ericaceae Rhododendron occidentale (Torr. R. ALRIFLORUM is an interesting deciduous sort that grows in the high Cascades and other mountain ranges of the area. Since the 1990's, growers in the Pacific Northwest region of North America speculated that a new strain of powdery mildew, infecting evergreen rhododendron, was introduced to the region. height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. In late spring to early summer, the air around the flowers is delightfully scented, making this Azalea a valuable addition near a patio and around the home. Its large floral trusses produce a magnificent display with their 7 to 17, funnel-shaped, bright golden-yellow flowers, up to 2 in. In the fall, the leaves turn eye-catching shades of brilliant red, orange and yellow in a stunning display. As the leaves emerge in mid to late spring, abundant clusters of 3 to 6 slightly scented, saucer-shaped pink flowers appear at the branch tips, adding elegance and beauty to this early midseason Azalea. 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