Looking for a plant that does well in extreme weather?

Did you know that there is a plant that does even better than lilacs in our drought and extreme weather? A native spirea called Cream bush Rock Spirea or Mountainspray grows in “our own backyard” and is so underused.  Its Latin name is Holodiscus dumosus. It is one of two native species recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in North America. It grows in Colorado, Arizona and Texas — some of the western states where it is naturally found.

 It can take dry to moist soils. It blooms white flowers from June through July. The white blossoms are displayed as clusters at the end of beautiful arching habit. This is one of its best features. After the blossoms are fruits that ripen in late summer.  These fruits can persist through the winter and into the next season. The fruit is good for birds. This shrub is pollinated by insects.

 It is good in an open, sunny woodland garden. Since it can grow to 10 feet in height, this should be placed at the back of a perennial bed or nearby a building. Some sources even say Cream bush Rock Spirea can grow to 15 feet. In its native habitat, it grows on coastal bluffs, open forest areas, disturbed areas and roadsides. Anything that can grow along a roadside has to be a tough plant.

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