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Shrubs

Holodiscus discolor

creambush

A strong growing deciduous shrub to a height of 4m, with oval-shaped, lobed grey-green leaves. In midsummer luxuriant pendulous plumes of tiny creamy white flowers appear

Other common names

ocean spray
shrubby meadowsweet

Synonyms

Spiraea discolor

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

2.5–4 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained, Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright, Bushy
Name status: Correct
Plant range: W Canada to Mexico

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows well in any well-drained, fertile, rich soil in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed as soon as ripe. Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer or propagate by layering in summer or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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