Holodiscus spp.

Rosaceae Western North America to the Andes

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Holodiscus spp. is a genus of about eight deciduous shrubs in the rose family, Rosaceae, ranging from western North America south through the mountains of Mexico and the Andes of South America. Plants form upright to arching, multi-stemmed shrubs 3-20 feet (1-6 m) tall depending on species and site, with thin, peeling bark on older stems. The leaves are alternate, oval to wedge-shaped, 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, with toothed or shallowly lobed margins and a grey-green, often hairy surface. From early to midsummer the branch tips carry large, drooping plumes of many tiny cream to white flowers, each only about 0.2 inch (5 mm) across, with the clusters reaching 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) long. The species H. discolor, known as oceanspray, ranges from British Columbia to California and forms a frequent understorey shrub in dry woodland. After flowering the blooms fade to tan and the dry seed heads persist into winter, turning brown and ragged. Most species tolerate drought once established but drop their leaves early in prolonged dry spells.

Native Range

Native to the Americas, from western Canada and the United States south through Mexico and Central America to the Andes of South America.

Suggested Uses

Used in native and wildlife plantings, on dry slopes, and as informal hedging and screening in the western United States. The summer plumes and persistent seed heads suit naturalistic borders. It is also planted for erosion control on dry banks.

How to Identify

Identified by arching, multi-stemmed shrubs with thin peeling bark and alternate, wedge-shaped leaves 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long that are toothed or lobed and grey-green. In summer the branch tips bear large, pendent plumes of tiny cream flowers 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) long. The faded clusters dry to tan and remain on the plant through winter as brown seed heads.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 20'

Width/Spread3' - 12'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

Most Holodiscus spp. species flower from early to midsummer, roughly June to August in the northern hemisphere. The pendent plumes open cream to white and age to tan over several weeks. Bloom timing shifts later at higher elevations and in cooler coastal sites.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Cream to white

Foliage Description

Grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Most Holodiscus spp. species grow in full sun to partial shade on well-drained soils of low to moderate fertility. They tolerate dry, rocky, and shallow ground and withstand drought once the root system is established, though leaves may drop early in long droughts. Soils from slightly acidic to neutral suit the genus, and waterlogged ground is poorly tolerated. Plants are hardy in cooler temperate zones, with H. discolor surviving to about USDA zone 5. Little supplemental water is needed after the first season except during extended heat. A spring mulch conserves soil moisture without the need for regular feeding.

Pruning

Flowers form on the previous season growth, so pruning is done in late winter or just after flowering to shape the shrub and remove spent seed heads. Older stems can be thinned to the base to renew growth. Hard renovation pruning is tolerated but reduces the following summer bloom.