Rockspirea / mountain spray
Holodiscus dumosus
Rockspirea / mountain spray (Holodiscus dumosus) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 3–5 ft tall and 3–5 ft wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Native foothills shrub with creamy plumes of flowers cascading down rocky banks. Plant Select pick.
Colorado nativelow water3–5 ft tall and 3–5 ft wideXeric / water-wisePlant Select®Deer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Holodiscus dumosus
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 3–5 ft tall and 3–5 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~5 ft apart (4 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Plant Select®
- Yes, Colorado's Plant Select® program
- Bloom color
- white, cream
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Pollinator value
- high
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control, Hot south- or west-facing walls
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- foothills, montane
Planting & establishment
Water deeply weekly first 2 summers. Drought-tolerant native once rooted; needs very good drainage.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Rockspirea / mountain spray good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Rockspirea / mountain spray is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Rockspirea / mountain spray get?
- It matures to about 3–5 ft tall and 3–5 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Rockspirea / mountain spray?
- Space Rockspirea / mountain spray about 5 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 4 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Rockspirea / mountain spray hardy on the Front Range?
- Rockspirea / mountain spray is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Rockspirea / mountain spray need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does Rockspirea / mountain spray grow?
- Rockspirea / mountain spray is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Rockspirea / mountain spray native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Rockspirea / mountain spray deer-resistant?
- Rockspirea / mountain spray is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Rockspirea / mountain spray a good firewise plant near the house?
- Rockspirea / mountain spray is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Rockspirea / mountain spray a Plant Select® winner?
- Yes. Rockspirea / mountain spray is in Plant Select®, the plant-recommendation program run by Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens to highlight plants that thrive in the region.
- How long does Rockspirea / mountain spray bloom?
- Rockspirea / mountain spray blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
