Oceanspray, Holodiscus discolor

Sold in bundles of 10
Deciduous
Height: up to 10 ft
Light: Part Shade – Sun
Moisture: Dry – Moist
Bloom: White, May-Aug.
 
Oceanspray is an under-utilized plant in northwest gardens. Its height varies depending on its environment, but typically growing to about 6-10 ft. It does exceedingly well on dry slopes and at the edge of deciduous forests of alder and cascara. It can also stand alone as a feature plant in a garden or at the back of a border. It’s fountain like clusters of lovely blooms attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies (and it is a butterfly host plant). After blooming, the seeds provide food for birds, and the plant itself provides shelter for birds and small animals. Commonly called “Ironwood”, it was used for many tools and utensils by the first people. It was made even harder by heating it over a fire and polishing it with horsetail stems. It was used for roasting tongs “because it won’t burn,” for digging sticks, fishing hooks, needles, canoe paddles, bows, and spear, harpoon, and arrow shafts, Oceanspray pegs were used in construction, when nails were not readily available.