Holodiscus discolor 'macrophylus'
Oceanspray
Creambush
Rock-spiraea
Plant Family:
Rosaceae
Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')
Flower:
White
Blooms :
Jun
to:
Aug
Soft, creamy white, clusters (20 cm long) hang down, they turn brown and persist
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
Yes
Foliage:
Gray-Green
Deciduous
Leaves, simple, alternate, to 10 cm long, shallowly toothed or lobed, grayish green.
Oregon Native?
Yes
West State Native?
Yes
Native from British Columbia to California and Idaho, found on well-drained to dry site, in sun and shade.
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
5
Water Needs:
L
Sun Needs:
Partial Sun
Deer Resistant?
No
Firewise?
Yes
Height:
10-15'
Spread:
15-20'
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Native from British Columbia to California and Idaho, found on well-drained to dry site, in sun and shade (OSU Landscape). Rocky, north-facing slopes; moist, open woods; stream banks; below 7000 ft. (LBJ)
Soil:
Adapted to course, medium and fine textured soils with pH 5.0 to 7.5. Prefers rocky/gravelly soils.
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Low fertility requirements.
Mulch:
Long Term:
Other than occasional pruning to shape, there is little maintenance required. Oceanspray is also not prone to disease or pests, making it a congenial specimen for a sunny/woodland garden.
Winter:
Spring:
Summer:
Prune severely each year after flowering to maintain a loose, graceful shrub.
Fall:
Common Problems
Diseases:
Largely free of 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, pin
Insects:
Largely free of insect pests though aphids have been reported.
Also called: