R. occidentale [Species]


R. occidentale [Species]

Photo © Don Hyatt

Cultivar: Group: Color: Blooms: Type: Reg Ref:
R. occidentale Species Deciduous
Height: Width: Hardy: Other Name(s): Seed Parent: Pollen Parent:
Pacific Azalea, Smooth Azalea, Western Azalea
Rhododendron occidentale is the only native azalea that grows naturally west of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. It is a difficult garden plant in the South Eastern United States, and seems to object to the heat and humidity that often accompany the summers there. R. occidentale was discovered in the 19th century and specimens taken to England, where it was used in the development of the Exbury azaleas. Much of the characterization of R. occidentale in the 20th century was done by Frank Mossman and Britt Smith and is described in a pair of QBARS articles listed below. In 2010, the Smith-Mossman Western Azalea Display Garden was dedicated in the Lake Wilderness Arboretum in Washington--see JARS and Pacific Horticulture references below. Michael McCullough has continued to search for specimens along the Pacific states, particularly concentrating on collections in Southern California. His hybridization efforts have continued to this day.