Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor) is a stunning native shrub that brings beauty, texture, fragrance, and wildlife support to your home garden. In late spring to early summer, Oceanspray blooms with airy clusters of small, creamy white flowers that resemble delicate sprays of cascading foam, giving the plant its unique name. The flowers attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies. As the blooms fade, the plant produces attractive, seed-filled clusters that persist through fall, offering visual interest even as the seasons change. The leaves are dark green, turning yellow in the fall, and then falling to reveal the reddish bark for winter interest. Although it can reach heights of up to 20 feet, Oceanspray typically reaches 6-10 feet in height with a spread of 5-8 feet in Utah conditions. While this shrub is low maintenance and maintains an attractive form with little intervention, it does respond well to pruning. Oceanspray is an excellent choice for hedges, privacy screens, woodland or shade gardens, or as a striking background plant in mixed borders or speciman plant in garden beds. This shrub is highly adaptive to different soil types, sunlight levels, and moisture, in addition to being somewhat tolerant of urban pollution.
Expected 2025 Availability- Late April
Photo Credit: Doug Murphy and Thayne Tuason
Oceanspray
Irrigation Requirement: Very Low (Water to Establish), Low (1/2" every 10-14 days), or Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days). Establish the plant well before removing supplemental irrigation. A low level of irrigation (or at least watering in dry summers is preferred).
Mature Size: Up to 20' tall and 15' wide, 4 - 10' x 4 - 7' common
Bloom Colors: White
Bloom Season: June
Hardiness Zone: 5 - 10
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Deer Resistant: Moderately
Salt Tolerant: Yes
Soils: Is highly adaptive and can grow in sandy, loam, or clay soils.
Plants in the Holodiscus genus are known host species for 23 species of pollinators in Northern Utah. Oceanspray is also a valuable source of pollen and nectar for many pollinators, as well as habitat and seeds for birds.