State symbols serve as visual representations of a state’s unique identity, history, and natural heritage. These emblems, including state birds, trees, and flags, allow each state to express its distinct character. The state flower holds special significance, often chosen for its beauty, prevalence, or historical association with the region.
Washington’s Official State Flower
Washington’s official state flower is the Coastal Rhododendron, scientifically known as Rhododendron macrophyllum, also called the Pacific Rhododendron. This broadleaf evergreen shrub is native to the Pacific Northwest, thriving in the region’s temperate climate.
The Coastal Rhododendron grows as a shrub, reaching heights of 6 to 8 feet, though it can extend up to 20 to 30 feet under favorable conditions. Its leaves are dark green, thick, leathery, and oblong, measuring 3 to 9 inches long and 1 to 3 inches wide. The plant produces distinctive bell-shaped flowers with five lobes, appearing in shades of pink, white, or lavender variations with yellow flecks. These vibrant blooms form in large clusters of 15 to 20 flowers.
This species prefers well-drained, acidic soil and can flourish in partial to full shade, often found beneath the canopy of larger trees in its natural habitat. It is widespread west of the Cascade Mountains, commonly found in coastal areas, the Olympic Peninsula, along the Hood Canal, and at elevations up to 6,000 feet within the Cascades. The Coastal Rhododendron blooms between April and July, with flowering starting earlier in lower elevations and extending later into the summer at higher altitudes.
Why This Flower Represents Washington
The Coastal Rhododendron was selected as Washington’s state flower due to a unique historical event and its inherent qualities. In 1892, women across Washington state participated in a vote to choose a floral emblem for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
Thousands of women cast ballots in this election, which pitted the Coastal Rhododendron against the clover. The rhododendron emerged victorious, chosen for its striking beauty and abundant presence throughout the state’s forests. This initial selection by the state’s women, made before they had the right to vote in general elections, established the flower’s deep connection to Washington’s heritage.
While chosen in 1892, the Coastal Rhododendron received its official legislative designation much later. The Washington State Legislature formally adopted Rhododendron macrophyllum as the state flower in 1959. This formal recognition underscored the flower’s symbolic value, representing the state’s natural landscapes and rugged beauty. Its resilience, vibrant blooms, and status as a native species reflect the enduring spirit and natural splendor of Washington.