WA State Flower

[slippery_biscuit]

In 1892, before they could vote, women selected the Coast Rhododendron as the state flower. They were prepping for an entry in the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. It won in a showdown over clover, to represent WA. Don't know the results of the fair. In 1959, the Legislature designated the native species, Rhododendron macrophyllum, as the official flower of the state of Washington.

Lots of domesticated hybrids dominate landscaping these days, but you can still find native plants when hiking in the woods.

I've about 30 of these around the house. They range in size from knee-high shrubs to small trees 15' high. Here are some of the colors....

The last is the image from the WA State website, presumably showing the native plant.

[sandra]

These would be hard to describe but I'd start with, magnificent and end with, indescribably beautiful.

[fred]

awesome Rodos
thanks for sharing those beauties with us
I wont show my wife this thread hehehe she loves Rhododendron's
we have 3 plants in our garden.hmmm I might have to plant one or two more.
beautiful