1 / 4Key characteristics
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 6 to 15 ft
- Width
- 6 to 10 ft
- Flower color
- White to pink or pale rose blooms often with a yellow or orange blotch
- Foliage color
- Deciduous green leaves that may turn yellow, orange, or red before dropping
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low to moderate; little pruning needed beyond removing spent flowers
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 7 to 9
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract bees and other pollinators, including hummingbirds
Shrubs
Rhododendron occidentale
Western Azalea
Rhododendron occidentale is a deciduous shrub with showy, fragrant flowers that appear in late spring to early summer. The blooms are typically white to pale pink, frequently marked with yellow or orange blotches in the throat, and are borne in loose trusses that open as the foliage emerges. The narrow, glossy green leaves provide a fresh backdrop during the growing season and turn warm yellow to orange tones in autumn.
Works well in
- Sun Gardens
- Foundation Plantings
- Fragrant Gardens
- Hummingbird Gardens
Companion plants
Avens · Strawberry tree · Betony · Blue grama grass · Thyme · Butterfly bush
Design tip
Allow Western Azalea to develop as an informal focal shrub where its open branching can complement a naturalistic planting. A location near a patio or garden path makes its fragrance easy to enjoy while bringing seasonal emphasis to frequently visited areas.
More shrubs
Rhododendron 'Ice Music'
Ice Music Rhododendron
Blooms pink buds open to creamy white blossoms with yellow flares and red speckles/nectaries in the throat
Part shade to dappled shade
Illicium anisatum
Japanese Star Anise
Blooms creamy white to pale yellow white star shaped flowers often with pink to red tinged buds and numerous narrow petals
Partial shade to full shade
Rhododendron 'Mrs. Betty Robertson'
Mrs. Betty Robertson Rhododendron
Blooms soft creamy yellow blooms with a hint of pink, often with a contrasting dark red blotch
Part shade to filtered sun
Rhododendron x kosteranum 'Northern Hi-Lights'
Northern Hi-Lights Azalea
Blooms creamy white to yellow flowers with a bold golden-yellow blotch in the throat
Full sun to part shade