Oceanspray
Holodiscus discolor
Also known as: Rockspirea
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © littlelegofan (iNaturalist #188329142)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Holodiscus
- Species:
- Holodiscus discolor
- USDA Symbol:
- HODI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acerra normalis, Adela septentrionella, American Swordgrass Moth (Xylena nupera), Blinded Sphinx (Paonias excaecata), broad-winged hesperumia (Hesperumia latipennis), Coleophora sp. C, Darwin's emerald (Nemoria darwiniata), Double Dart (Graphiphora augur), Egira hiemalis, Elegant Sheep Moth (Hemileuca eglanterina), Epinotia johnsonana, Eulithis xylina, Forked Euchlaena Moth (Euchlaena tigrinaria), George's pinion (Lithophane georgii), gray swordgrass (Xylena cineritia), hibiscus Quaker (Orthosia hibisci), Oncocnemis columbia, Oncocnemis dunbari, Orthosia praeses, Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), Pero gigantea, Phyllonorycter holodisci, Purple birch leafminer (Eriocrania semipurpurella), Spilosoma pteridis, Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata), sulphur moth (Hesperumia sulphuraria), Synaxis jubararia, Three-spotted sallow (Eupsilia tristigmata), Brown Elfin (Incisalia augustinus), Lorquin's admiral (Basilarchia lorquini), Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon), Weidemeyer's Admiral (Basilarchia weidemeyerii)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii) Moths:Adela septentrionella, Phyllonorycter holodisci, Purple birch leafminer (Eriocrania semipurpurella) Butterflies:Lorquin's Admiral (Limenitis lorquini)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire; seeds also germinate well on burned soil.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in rocky or gravelly soils
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 60-90 days to break dormancy.
Pre-treatment: For seeds, a 5 month cold, moist stratification is required. For cuttings, cut into 15 cm lengths with 1/3 basal leaves removed, treated with a 2 minute fungicide bath and 2000 ppm IBA powder.
Establishment: Germination is non-uniform. Seeds are collected when achenes turn brown in October. Cuttings are collected in early July. There are regional variations in the distribution of H. discolor.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Expose to fluctuating outdoor winter temps incl. freezing for 3 months. Increase light/temp in spring.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)