Washington Wildflowers & State Flower

The State Flower of Washington: Coast Rhododendron

The official state flower of Washington is the Coast Rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum). Peak bloom in Washington: May–June.

Washington's wildflower season ranges from Olympic rain forest spring ephemerals to subalpine meadows on Mount Rainier and the North Cascades.

Common Wildflowers in Washington

Whether you're hiking, gardening, or walking your neighborhood, these are some of the most frequently encountered wildflowers and native blooms across Washington:

• Coast Rhododendron
• Camas
• Indian Paintbrush
• Avalanche Lily
• Beargrass
• Lupine
• Glacier Lily
• Trillium

The free Flower Identifier app recognizes all of these and thousands more from a single photo. Just point, snap, and identify.

Washington Climate & Bloom Seasons

Zones 4a–9a. The Cascades divide a wet, mild west from a dry, continental east. Subalpine meadows are world-class in late July.

Tips for Identifying Flowers in Washington

• Time it right. Most wildflowers in Washington peak in May–June. Visit the same spot every two weeks during peak season to catch different species.
• Photograph the bloom face-on. A close, well-lit shot of the open flower gives the AI the strongest identification signal.
• Add a leaf shot. If the first identification is uncertain, a second photo of a leaf usually resolves it.
• Note the habitat. Forest, meadow, roadside, wetland — habitat alone narrows the candidates significantly.
• Stay on trail in public lands. Take only photos. Many state and federal lands prohibit picking flowers.

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