Rusty Menziesia

Menziesia ferruginea (Ericaceae) is a deciduous shrub native to western North America from Alaska to northern California and east to western Montana. It reaches about 12 feet tall. Small pinkish-orange to yellowish-white urn-shaped flowers (6 to 8 mm) appear in terminal clusters. The leaves are sticky and release a skunky odor when crushed, leading to the common name fool's huckleberry (it resembles huckleberry but with unpleasant foliage).

Rusty menziesia grows in sun to part shade on moist, acidic soil (pH 4.5 to 6.0), preferring well-drained slopes. Documented problems include 10 diseases (root rot, powdery mildew, leaf spot, among others) and 6 pests (spider mite, root weevil, leaf miners, scales). The species is primarily encountered in the wild rather than in cultivation. Hardy in Zones 5a to 9b.