Fragrant Rhododendrons and Azaleas
Some people are not aware of the wide range of fragrant rhododendrons that are available. Most range in the white to pink to lavender range, but there are wonderful exceptions (as noted below).
One of our most popular rhododendrons is Loderi King George (pictured). This impressive shrub will eventually reach tree-like sizes, so it needs room to grow. As a young plant it needs protection from winds and direct sunshine, especially western sun. Opening blush pink, the flowers eventually fade to a waxy white, and are deliciously fragrant. A muture specimen at nearby Meerkerk Gardens prompts visitors to that garden to want to have one of their own.
Other popular fragrant rhodies her at the nursery include Wickiup and Wickiup's Sister. These similar plants bear spectacular trusses in shades of apricot, orange, salmon, rose, and a variety of yellows, and are spicily fragrant, reminding one of hard Christmas candies and orange sherbet. Van Nes Sensation is another popular plant, with its lavender pink fragrant flowers. Misty Moonlight, another fragrant shrub with lilac flowers, seems to be mostly popular because of its wonderful foliage. A Rh. williamsianum hybrid, it sports round glossy leaves, copper-colored when young, that make the plant attractive when not in bloom.
Deciduous
azaleas are some of the most fragrant shrubs available (their main
drawback in our area is that they are sometimes favored browsing
material for local deer.) If you have a wooded area you would like to
brighten up with one of these great plants, one solution to the
problem of deer is to plant the azalea on an old stump. This will
raise the plant above the browsing level of the deer. Of course, you
must be careful with watering, since it will be like you are growing
the azalea in a container and it will not have ready access to ground moisture.
In addition to wonderful spring fragrance, azaleas such as Washington State Centennial (pictured at left) and Mt. St. Helens (right) often have brilliant fall color before they drop their leaves for the winter.
Some non-fragrant species rhododendrons also top our best seller list -- including Rhododendron macrosepalum linearfolium (pictured). With its narrow, straplike leaves and flowers, it often surprises even experienced gardeners who don't recognize it as a rhododendron. (One common name is Spider Azalea, if the botanical name is too much of a mouthful.)
Other popular species include Rh roxianum var. oreonastes, Rh bureavii, and the Washington state flower, Rh macrophyllum.