Description
Holodiscus –
There are about 8 species of shrubs, in this genus. They occur in woodland from Western North America extended through South America as far South as Colombia. They produce hairy, alternate, spear shaped to rounded, lobed to pinnatifid, usually softly hairy leaves, and are valued for their attractive, airy panicles of numerous small, creamy white cup shaped flowers. Suitable for a mixed or shrub border, or for growing in light woodland, or as specimen plants.
Grow in moist but well drained, organic enriched soil in sun or in dapple shade. Prune right after flowering.
Prone to powdery mildew and various leaf spots.
H. discolor – Ocean Spray – Spiraea discolor – Mountain Spray – Cream Bush – This vigorous, upright shrub from Western North America grows 5-20′ feet tall and wide. From arching branches it carries broadly egg shaped, shallowly to deeply 4 to 8 lobed, deep green leaves, to 3″ long, white felty beneath. Throughout summer it bears tiny, cup shaped, creamy white flowers held in large pendent, plume like panicles.
Zones 6-9
