The Rhododendron, Washington's State Flower

Washington officially designated the coast rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum) as the state flower in 1959, though it was actually selected as the state flower in 1892 by the women of Washington for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago.

Also called Pacific rhododendron, or big leaf rhododendron, the coast rhododendron is a broadleaf evergreen rhododendron species native to western North America. The coast rhododendron is found primarily near the Pacific coast, but its range extends to the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

We have several lovely varieties of this species in our yard in Maltby.  They are right now at the height of their annual beauty.