What hardiness zones is Holodiscus discolor suitable for?

Holodiscus discolor is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Holodiscus discolor?

Holodiscus discolor requires Full Sun.

How much water does Holodiscus discolor need?

Holodiscus discolor has Very Low water needs.

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Deciduous Shrubs

Holodiscus discolor

ocean spray

Rosaceae

British Columbia south through Washington, Oregon, California; east to Montana and Colorado; rocky slopes, forest edges, shrub thickets, and dry to mesic open ground

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitSpreading

FoliageDeciduous

Height6-15 feet (1.8-4.5 m)

Width6-12 feet (1.8-3.6 m)

Maturity8 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (light)

Native to North America

Maintenancevery low

Overview

A large, arching, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub in the family Rosaceae, native to rocky slopes, forest edges, shrub thickets, and dry to mesic open ground from British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon to California, and east to Montana and Colorado. The specific epithet discolor means 'two-colored,' referring to the strikingly bicolored leaves: medium to dark green and slightly rugose above, densely white-woolly beneath — the pale undersides flash prominently in wind. Plants grow 6–15 feet (1.8–4.5 m) tall with arching, wand-like branches forming a broad, graceful, fountain-like form. Leaves are broadly ovate to nearly round, 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) long, with coarsely toothed or shallowly lobed margins. From June through July, the arching branches are draped with large, dense, cascading, finely branched panicles 4–12 inches (10–30 cm) long of hundreds of tiny, creamy-white, five-petaled flowers — the flower plumes resemble sea foam or ocean spray, giving the plant its common name. The flower plumes are mildly fragrant and attract exceptional numbers of native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. By late summer, the panicles dry to a warm rusty-tan that persists through fall and winter, providing structure and texture. One of the most drought-tolerant and ornamentally distinctive native shrubs of the Pacific Northwest. Non-toxic.

Native Range

Native to rocky slopes, forest edges, shrub thickets, and dry to mesic open ground from British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon to California, and east to Montana and Colorado.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a large specimen shrub, background planting, slope stabilizer, or wildlife habitat feature at 6–8 foot (1.8–2.4 m) spacing. Among the most ornamentally distinctive native PNW shrubs — the cascading creamy-white flower plumes June–July are spectacular in the landscape. Excellent for dry slopes, road cuts, forest edges, and native habitat gardens. Outstanding butterfly plant. The dried rusty-tan winter panicles provide multi-season interest. Combines well with Ceanothus velutinus, Rosa nutkana, Symphoricarpos albus, and Acer circinatum on dry forest edges and rocky slopes.

How to Identify

Identified by the strikingly bicolored leaves — medium to dark green and slightly rugose above, densely white-woolly beneath — which flash pale in the wind. The broadly ovate to nearly round leaves 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) long with coarsely toothed or shallowly lobed margins are borne on arching wand-like branches. From June–July, large cascading panicles 4–12 inches (10–30 cm) long of hundreds of tiny creamy-white five-petaled flowers are unmistakable — the plumes resemble ocean spray and are the most diagnostic feature during bloom. Dried rusty-tan panicles persist through fall and winter. The strongly bicolored leaf undersides (white-woolly) are diagnostic throughout the growing season.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 15'

Width/Spread6' - 12'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

cream

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

orange

russet

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Summer

Blooms June through July for 3–5 weeks — one of the most spectacular flowering events of any native PNW shrub. Large cascading panicles 4–12 inches (10–30 cm) long of hundreds of tiny creamy-white five-petaled flowers drape the arching branches with sea-foam-like plumes. Mildly fragrant. Attracts exceptional numbers of native bees, butterflies (especially swallowtails and hairstreaks), and other pollinators. Panicles dry to warm rusty-tan by late summer and persist attractively through fall and into winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

creamy white; hundreds of tiny five-petaled flowers in cascading, finely branched plumes 4–12 inches — resembling ocean spray or sea foam; June–July; mildly fragrant; exceptional butterfly and bee attraction; dries rusty-tan persisting through winter

Foliage Description

medium to dark green, slightly rugose above; densely white-woolly beneath — discolor means 'two-colored'; broadly ovate to round 1–3 inches with coarsely toothed or shallowly lobed margins; pale undersides flash in wind

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-12 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 Range5.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandrockyclay

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-8 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained to dry, poor to average, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.0–7.5. Extremely drought-tolerant once established — one of the best native shrubs for dry sunny slopes, rocky outcrops, and water-wise garden designs in the Pacific Northwest. Tolerates poor, rocky, or gravelly soils as well as average garden conditions. Does not perform well in wet, waterlogged, or heavy clay. Requires minimal care once established. No fertilizer needed.

Pruning

Requires minimal pruning. Remove dead or damaged stems to the base in late winter. To rejuvenate an overgrown plant, cut one-third of the oldest canes to the ground annually in late winter. Can be coppiced entirely every 5–10 years for full renewal — responds vigorously. Avoid shearing, which destroys the natural fountain form.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic