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 to 5 ft tall and 3 to 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 to 5 ft tall and 3 to 5 ft wideXeric / water-wisePlant Select®
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) John Powers, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Gavin Slater, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: (c) Walter Siegmund, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 8
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control, Hot south- or west-facing walls
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 3 to 5 ft tall and 3 to 5 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~5 ft apart (4 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Bloom color
- white, cream
- Bloom length
- 2 to 3 weeks
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- foothills, montane
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
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 to 5 ft tall and 3 to 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 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 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 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.
