Oceanspray Creambush
Holodiscus discolor
Rosaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · native
Last updated
Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor, Rosaceae) is a native deciduous shrub ranging from British Columbia to California and east to Idaho, reaching 10 to 15 feet tall with a spread of about 9 feet. Soft creamy-white flower clusters up to 20 centimeters long hang from branch tips in summer and turn brown, persisting through fall. The plant is a larval host for Lorquin's admiral, pale tiger swallowtail, and spring azure butterflies.
Oceanspray grows in full sun on wet-tolerant soils (pH 6.5 to 7.5) with high water needs, hardy in Zones 5a to 8b. Documented diseases include leaf spot. Indigenous peoples used the hard, straight wood for arrow and spear shafts. No cultivars are in the trade.
Quick Facts
Phenological Calendar
As of May 13, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1906.2 to 2098.2 GDD₃₂. Oceanspray Creambush has reached 'flower buds visible' (1813 GDD₃₂) and is approaching 'fall color / leaf senescence', predicted around May 30.
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of May 13, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,098 | 'Flower buds visible' | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | 401 |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,089 | 'Flower buds visible' | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | 410 |
| Seattle / UW | 2,063 | 'Flower buds visible' | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | 436 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,025 | 'Flower buds visible' | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | 474 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,993 | 'Flower buds visible' | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | 506 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,972 | 'Flower buds visible' | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | 527 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,906 | 'Flower buds visible' | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | 593 |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| 'Bud break' BBCH '07' | 844 | '' |
| 'Leaf emergence' BBCH '11' | 953 | '' |
| ● 'Flower buds visible' BBCH '51' NOW | 1813 | '' |
| ○ 'Fall color / leaf senescence' BBCH '93' NEXT | 2499 | '' est. May 30 (avg) |
| 'First bloom' BBCH '61' | 2863 | '' est. Jun 12 (avg) |
Source: 'NPN citizen science observations (WA+OR), n=69, median. services.usanpn.org' About GDD₃₂ →
Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of May 13, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 29, 2026, then climate normals.