Az. occidentale 'Humboldt Picotee'

Originally noted as SM502, SM standing for Smith Mossman, the two plant explorers who found this beautiful variation of the Western Azalea. 502 was the number assigned to it. The name 'Humboldt Picotee' was the name given to it by Britt Smith and Frank Mossman in the 1970's when they found it on Stagecoach Hill, above Big Lagoon, Humboldt County, CA.

This plant grows slower, and is more dwarf than the true species, being only 3 ft tall in 10 years. The very FRAGRANT flowers are white with a striking reddish-purple picotee edge, and a golden yellow dorsal blotch. This cultivar is hard to propagate, thus its rarity. Can grow in full sun in coastal areas, but can enjoy some shade as well. As with all R. occidentale, they sometimes prefer a damp soil to grow in, although not boggy. Hardy to zone 6.