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.

Plant Profile

Size & Form

Height
10–15 ft
Spread
9 ft
Growth Rate
Moderate
Size at 20 yr
3 ft
Lifespan
Moderate

Site Requirements

Light
Full Sun
Soil Drainage
Wet Tolerant
Soil pH
6.5-7.5
Water
High
Drought Tolerance
Low
Hardiness
Zones 5a–8b

Ornamental Interest

Bloom Time
late summer
Origin
Pacific Northwest native

Diseases: Regionally Documented (1)

Phenological Calendar

As of June 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2435.5 to 2672.8 GDD₃₂. Oceanspray Creambush has reached 'fall color / leaf senescence' (2499 GDD₃₂) and is approaching 'first bloom', predicted around Jun 12.

Regional Season Tracker

GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 3, 2026
Station GDD₃₂ Current Stage Next To Go
Issaquah / East King 2,673 'Fall color / leaf senescence' 'First bloom' 190
Kent / Auburn 2,665 'Fall color / leaf senescence' 'First bloom' 198
Seattle / UW 2,610 'Fall color / leaf senescence' 'First bloom' 253
Olympia / Tumwater 2,570 'Fall color / leaf senescence' 'First bloom' 294
Tacoma / Puyallup 2,535 'Fall color / leaf senescence' 'First bloom' 328
Bellingham / Whatcom 2,533 'Fall color / leaf senescence' 'First bloom' 330
Sequim / Rain Shadow 2,436 'Flower buds visible' 'Fall color / leaf senescence' 64
View full calendar (5 stages)
Stage GDD32 Typical Window
'Bud break' BBCH '07' 844 ''
'Leaf emergence' BBCH '11' 953 ''
'Flower buds visible' BBCH '51' 1813 ''
● 'Fall color / leaf senescence' BBCH '93' NOW 2499 ''
○ 'First bloom' BBCH '61' NEXT 2863 '' est. Jun 12 (forecast)
Local estimate
Range: 1898–3418 GDD₃₂ (9yr) · 39 obs

Source: 'NPN citizen science observations (WA+OR), n=69, median. services.usanpn.org' About GDD₃₂ →

Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 19, 2026, then climate normals.

Data Maturity
Baseline Extension data. Expert review underway.