Irene Koster (Western) Azalea               ro-do-DEN-dron ok-ci-den-TAH-lee

• Deciduous shrub, 6-8(10) ft (1.8-2.4(3) m) tall, 4-6 ft (1.2-1.8 m) wide.  Flower buds have dark pink stripes running their length, the open flowers are white and light rose-pink with a showy yellow blotch with brownish orange spotting on the upper petals, tubular funnel-shaped, wavy edges, 6 cm across, very fragrant.
• -15^o F, late-middle.   Sun.
• ‘Irene Koster’along with several other named selectons were introduced by Koster & Sons of Holland around 1895, these plants are thought to be hybrids of R. occidentale and Mollis azalea hybrids (called Occidentale Hybrids).  ‘Irene Koster’ received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
• Silverton, Oregon: The Oregon Garden.