Early May brings the spectacular flowering of Pacific rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum), Washington's official state flower, creating dramatic displays of pink-purple blooms on mountain slopes and in coastal forests. These evergreen shrubs can grow 8-25 feet tall and produce large clusters (trusses) of bell-shaped flowers that can contain 15-25 individual blooms. Pacific rhododendron thrives in the acidic soils beneath coniferous forests from British Columbia to northern California, often forming dense thickets in mountain areas. The flowers attract bumblebees and other native pollinators, while the thick evergreen leaves provide year-round shelter for birds and small mammals. Indigenous peoples used the tough, hard wood for implements and tools. Look for peak blooming in the Cascades and Olympics at elevations between 2,000-4,000 feet during May and June.