Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

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Photo:

Pat Kolling

Oceanspray

Creambush

Rock-spiraea

Latin Name:

Holodiscus discolor 'macrophylus'

This hardy species, tolerant of wide moisture regimes, soil types, and both sun and shade, is useful for low maintenance riparian plantings, reclamation of droughty and rocky or disturbed sites, and windbreaks. This broad adaptation and abundant midsummer

Taxon ID#

42 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

5 Sun Preference:

Partial Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Adapted to course, medium and fine textured soils with pH 5.0 to 7.5. Prefers rocky/gravelly soils.

Fertilizer Needs:

Low fertility requirements.

Recommended Mulch:

Family:

Rosaceae

Origins:

Plant Type:

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

Native from British Columbia to California and Idaho, found on well-drained to dry site, in sun and shade.

Oregon native:

yes

Western state native:

yes

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Gray-Green

Foliage Description:

Leaves, simple, alternate, to 10 cm long, shallowly toothed or lobed, grayish green.

Fragrant:

yes

Predominant flower color:

White

Flower Description:

Soft, creamy white, clusters (20 cm long) hang down, they turn brown and persist

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:

10-15'

Mature spread:

15-20'

Growth rate:

Medium

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

yes

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

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)

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

Used by Wildlife:

yes

Hedge/Screen:

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.

Border:

no

Erosion Control:

yes

Windbreak:

yes

Cover Structures:

no

Ground Cover:

no

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

yes

Adds Texture/Movement:

no

First Bloom:

Jun

Last Bloom:

Aug

Ornamental Accent:

yes

Garden Observations:

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:

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.

Insect Pests:

Largely free of insect pests though aphids have been reported.

Wildlife Pests:

Deer, Elk, Rabbits, Rats browse

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

Environmental Problems:

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

Landscape Problems:

Care Comments:

As a poor competitor, oceanspray benefits from weed control when young. The fibrous root system requires well drained soil at least 12 in. deep. Consider supplemental irrigation during
establishment year or years with low rainfall. Cutting back mature st

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Oceanspray

Creambush

Rock-spiraea

Latin Name:

Taxon ID#

42

MAINTENANCE

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

5

Sun Preference:

Partial Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Adapted to course, medium and fine textured soils with pH 5.0 to 7.5. Prefers rocky/gravelly soils.

Fertilizer Needs:

Low fertility requirements.

Recommended Mulch:

​

Family:

Origins:

Plant Type:

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

Native from British Columbia to California and Idaho, found on well-drained to dry site, in sun and shade.

Oregon native:

yes

Western state native:

yes

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Gray-Green

Foliage Description:

Leaves, simple, alternate, to 10 cm long, shallowly toothed or lobed, grayish green.

Fragrant:

yes

Predominant flower color:

White

Flower Description:

Soft, creamy white, clusters (20 cm long) hang down, they turn brown and persist

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:

10-15'

Mature spread:

15-20'

Growth rate:

Medium

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

yes

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

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)

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

​

Used by Wildlife:

yes

Hedge/Screen:

yes

As a poor competitor, oceanspray benefits from weed control when young. The fibrous root system requires well drained soil at least 12 in. deep. Consider supplemental irrigation during
establishment year or years with low rainfall. Cutting back mature st