Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

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Photo:

Kathy Ketchum

Taxon ID#

43

Best known for its fragrant, attractive cream-colored flowers that hang in clusters from the branches in summer.

Scientific Name:

Holodiscus discolor 'microphyllus'

Common Name 1

› Small-leaved Creambush

Family:

Rosaceae

Origins:

Native range, mid to high elevations in Oregon and California and east to Colorado and Arizona, especially in Great Basin region.

Plant Type:

Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')

Common Name 2

› Small-leaved Oceanspray

Common Name 3

› Rock-spiraea

Oregon native:

yes

Western state native:

yes

Scroll down for more information on each topic

Plant Description

Landscape Application Information

Seasonal Care

Resource Links

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4 Sun Preference:

Partial Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Adapted to course, medium and fine textured soils with pH 5.0 to 7.5. Ranging from sea level to 7000 ft., this species has moderate drought tolerance.

Fertilizer Needs:

low fertility requirements.

Recommended Mulch:

nothing found

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Gray-Green

Foliage Description:

Leaves alternate, simple, to 2 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, light green to gray-green, often obovate, rounded to wedge-shaped base, small teeth on apical half of blade.

Fragrant:

yes

Predominant flower color:

White

Flower Description:

Flowers in narrow clusters (panicals) to 10 cm long, 10-50 flowered; flowers 3-4 mm diameter, petals white.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

Reddish Leaves, not conspicuous

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

yes

Winter Interest Description:

Older bark is dark red to brown or gray and exfoliating. Blooms dry and form brown seeds that persist thru the winter.

Mature height:

3'

Mature spread:

15-20'

Growth rate:

Medium

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

yes

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Oceanspray habitat varies considerably & includes streambanks, the understory of moist woods, cutover timberland and dry rocky soils and talus slopes.

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Used by Wildlife:

yes

Swales:

yes

Wildlife Use:

Browsed by cattle, deer, elk & dusky-footed wood rats. Common understory species that provides cover for numerous birds, small mammals & tree frogs.

Photo:

Hedge/Screen:

yes

Border:

no

Erosion Control:

yes

Windbreak:

yes

Ground Cover:

no

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

no

Cover Structures:

no

First Bloom:

May

Last Bloom:

Adds Texture/Movement:

Aug

Ornamental Accent:

yes

no

Garden Observations:

Seasonal Care

Maintenance

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Summer Care:

Prune severely each year after flowering to maintain a loose, graceful shrub.

Fall Care:

Winter Care:

Long Term Care:

Insect Pests:

Largely free of insect pests though aphids have been reported.

Wildlife Pests:

Deer, Elk, Rabbits, Rats browse

Diseases:

Largely free diseases although susceptible to fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) and a fungal leaf spot (Septogloeum sp.): https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/ocean-spray-holodiscus-sp-leaf-spots . It is also a host of the root parasite, pine b

Environmental Problems:

Broad adaption to various environments makes it aa popular ornamental for highway plantings

Landscape Problems:

Care Comments:

Cutting back mature stems will encourage vigorous growth suitable for cutting wood.

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/holodiscus-microphyllus

USDA Plants:

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=HODI

Calscape Database:

https://calscape.org/Holodiscus-discolor-var.-glabrescens-(Desert-Ocean-Spray)?srchcr=sc5f44096fee375