Rhododendron occidentale is a shrub growing to 5 m tall. The leaves are deciduous, 3–9 cm long and 1–3 cm broad. The flowers are 3.5–5 cm diameter, with five lobes on the corolla; color varies from white to pink, often with a yellow blotch.

Names: Occidentale means western; so Rhododendron occidentale, literally means, “western rose-tree.” It is sometimes called Pacific Azalea or California Azalea. Relationships: Azaleas are divided into two subgenera (deciduous and evergreen) in the very large genus of rhododendron (see Pacific Rhododendron).

Deciduous shrub, 10 ft (3 m), compact, upright. Leaves 3-9 cm long, elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, upper side glossy green, underside pubescent; in fall leaves may turn yellow, scarlet or crimson. Blooms at or after leaf emergence.

Regarded as the largest flowered, scented, white azalea species, Rhododendron occidentale, commonly known as Western Azalea, is a plant of great beauty and captivating fragrance that appeals to virtually everyone who comes upon it.

Western azalea (Rhododendron occidentale) colors brightly in autumn at The Cedars, combined here with maroon trunks of manzanita (arctostaphylos) and silvery leaves of Rhamnus californica subsp. tomentella.

Western Azalea (Rhododendron occidentale (Torr. & A. Gray) A. Gray) By Russell Holmes. Western azalea is in the Ericaceae (Heath Family) which contains approximately 65 genera and over 1400 species. Species in the Heath Family are widely distributed ranging from deserts to high elevation tropic environments.

Used extensively in deciduous azalea crosses, this is one of our best native summer bloomers. Fragrant flowers vary from white to pale rose, sometimes with a yellow throat. In Oregon and California, it frequently grows along stream banks in moister soils. Grows to 10 ft. in sun to partial shade. Prefers well drained soils.

Difficult to grow outside the Pacific Northwest and California, Rhododendron occidentale is a choice native plant for our region. This is found in thickets around moist areas, seepages and creek sides in the mountains and foothills along the Pacific coast of …

Deciduous shrub or small tree, to 8 (–10) m; young twigs glabrous to densely covered with gland-tipped and/or eglandular hairs. Leaves (2.5–)3.5–8.2 (–10.8) × (0.8)1.2–2.9 (–3.6) cm, ovate to obovate or elliptic, lower surface usually covered with …

Rhododendron occidentale (A) western azalea A bushy deciduous shrub, to 3m tall, with glossy mid-green foliage, glaucous beneath, turning orange and yellow in autumn. Fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers, to 10cm in width, are white, sometimes tinged with pink, and blotched yellow within, in early summer