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Ericaceae
California Rose Bay
Rhododendron macrophyllum
Elegance and caution.
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Genus
- Rhododendron
- Native to
- Western North America, British Columbia to California
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer
- Type
- evergreen shrub
- Height
- 6-25 ft
- Sunlight
- part shade
- Soil
- Acidic, well-drained, humus-rich soil
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 6-9
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- California rose bay is the state flower of Washington, where it was chosen by women voters in 1892.
- The species name macrophyllum means 'large-leaved,' and the glossy evergreen leaves can reach 8 inches long.
- Large trusses can hold 20 or more individual flowers, creating spectacular dome-shaped clusters of pink blooms.
- All parts of the plant are toxic due to grayanotoxins, which can cause poisoning if honey is made from the nectar.
- In the wild, these shrubs can form dense thickets in Pacific Northwest old-growth forests, growing in the understory for centuries.
Color meanings
0
caution
1
elegance
2
beauty