Holodiscus discolor 'microphyllus'
Small-leaved Oceanspray
Small-leaved Creambush
Rock-spiraea
Plant Family:
Rosaceae
Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')
Flower:
White
Blooms :
May
to:
Aug
Flowers in narrow clusters (panicals) to 10 cm long, 10-50 flowered; flowers 3-4 mm diameter, petals white.
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
Yes
Foliage:
Gray-Green
Deciduous
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.
Oregon Native?
Yes
West State Native?
Yes
Native range, mid to high elevations in Oregon and California and east to Colorado and Arizona, especially in Great Basin region.
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
4
Water Needs:
L
Sun Needs:
Partial Sun
Deer Resistant?
No
Firewise?
Yes
Height:
3'
Spread:
15-20'
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Oceanspray habitat varies considerably & includes streambanks, the understory of moist woods, cutover timberland and dry rocky soils and talus slopes.
Soil:
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.
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
low fertility requirements.
Mulch:
nothing found
Long Term:
Winter:
Spring:
Summer:
Prune severely each year after flowering to maintain a loose, graceful shrub.
Fall:
Common Problems
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
Insects:
Largely free of insect pests though aphids have been reported.
Also called: