A rhododendron of our own - flowers - Brief Article

Sunset, June, 2001 by Jim McCausland

In 1934, a botanist named Leslie Haskin wrote that "the annual pilgrimage from our cities to the coast or mountains to view [rhododendron] flowers is so great that the railroads are at times forced to put on special trains for ... those who wish to go."

Some plant. Lighting up the woods with big trusses of pink flowers, coast rhododendron (R. macropbyllum) has been called our most magnificent native shrub, and it is the official flower of Washington State. Oregon named a town after it, and in season, it's one of the most-asked-about plants in California's Redwood National and State Parks.

A large evergreen rhododendron native to the West--most sold in nurseries are hybrids from other countries--coast rhododendron is a tapestry plant that's at its best jostling for space with other plants along the forest's edge. It tends to stretch out so that it can reach through competing plants for light--a trait that makes it much more effective in nature than in most gardens.

To see the rhododendron at its best, head for the woods. They don't put on extra trains for it any more, but the following locations are easily accessible by car. Peak bloom most years is late April into June; call ahead for bloom status.

Washington. The state's native rhododendrons can be found around the eastern Olympic Peninsula,

Mt. Walker, in Olympic National Forest (360/765-2200), has rhododendrons from the bottom of the slope up to its peak. The access road (Forest Rd. 2730) is 5 miles south of Quilcene. Drive 3 miles or hike 2 miles to the top. On the east side of Flood Canal, Scenic Beach State Park (800/233-0321) offers great camping among the rhododendrons.

Oregon. Oregon has strong populations both along the coast and in the Cascades.

In Mt. Hood National Forest (503/622-7674), try the 9-mile drive along U.S. 26 from the town of Rhododendron to Government Camp, and on Lob Pass Road (Forest Rd. 18) from Rhododendron toward Hood River.

California. Rhododendrons grow from the Oregon border south clear to Monterey County (thus the plant's original name, R. californicum), but the most concentrated shows are in sheltered areas from the Russian River north.

Redwood National and State Parks (707/822-7611) is especially rich. Start your search by walking the 3 miles of woodland trails at Lady Bird Johnson Grove. From Orick, go 1 mile north on U.S. 101, then drive east 2 miles on Bald Hills Road to the grove.