Western Azalea

Western Azalea is the only azalea native to the Pacific Coast of North America, producing showy clusters of white to pale pink flowers with a yellow blotch in late spring and early summer. It grows along streams and in moist canyon bottoms, often forming dense, fragrant thickets. The flowers are strongly sweet-scented and attract a variety of native bees and hummingbirds. It is highly variable across its range from Oregon to southern California, with some populations producing nearly pure white flowers and others deep pink. It is a popular parent plant for cultivated azalea hybrids.