Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Holodiscus discolor
Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim.
Ocean Spray, Hillside Ocean-spray, Cream Bush, Mountain Spray
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Synonym(s): Holodiscus boursieri, Holodiscus discolor ssp. franciscanus, Holodiscus discolor var. ariaefolius, Holodiscus discolor var. delnortensis, Holodiscus discolor var. franciscanus, Holodiscus discolor var. glabrescens, Holodiscus dumosus ssp. saxicola, Holodiscus dumosus var. australis, Holodiscus dumosus var. glabrescens, Holodiscus glabrescens, Holodiscus microphyllus, Holodiscus microphyllus var. glabrescens, Holodiscus microphyllus var. microphyllus, Holodiscus microphyllus var. sericeus, Holodiscus microphyllus var. typicus, Sericotheca discolor, Spiraea discolor
USDA Symbol: HODI
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Ocean Spray is a many-stemmed, spreading shrub that normally grows 4-5 ft. tall but can reach much taller. The stems are slender and often arching, bearing deeply lobed and toothed, deciduous foliage. During the flowering season (May-August), the shrub is a complete mass of tiny, fragrant, creamy-white flowers arranged in large, plumed clusters. Older bark is dark red to brown or gray and exfoliating.
Ocean Spray is a member of the rose family (family Rosaceae) which includes about 2000 species of trees, shrubs, and herbs worldwide; approximately 77 native and 9 naturalized tree species and many species of shrubs and herbs in North America. This shrub is a colorful reclaimer of open or disturbed lands.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Achene , Aggregate
Size Notes: Up to about 20 feet tall, usually much shorter.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Aggregated achenes.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: White, sometimes tinged pink.
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NV , OR , UT , WACanada: BC
Native Distribution: CA Coast Ranges to B.C. & w. MT, east to Colorado, south as far as Chiapas in southern Mexico
Native Habitat: Rocky, north-facing slopes; moist, open woods; stream banks; below 7000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Dry to moist, gravelly or rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: A colorful reclaimer of open or disturbed lands.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Butterflies (swallowtail, azure, and Lorquin's admiral butterflies)Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Semi-hardwood cuttings, suckers and seeds have been used with success.Seed Collection: Seeds are produced in tiny, dry capsules.
Seed Treatment: The tiny seeds require cold stratification at 41 degrees for up to 18 weeks.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Holodiscus discolor in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Holodiscus discolor in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Holodiscus discolor
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-18Research By: TWC Staff