133. Oceanspray

The billowy clouds of cream coloured oceanspray or  Holodiscus discolor  fill the air with a faint honey perfume and provide multitudes of bees and other insects food and nectar. The blooms that evoke the descriptor of oceanspray start about mid-June until the first week in July. The shrubs grow well...almost too well in open places, particularly with a bit of moisture. 

This shrub is also known as ironwood -the older wood is truly hard as nails and was used as such. Heating it over a fire made it even tougher. Local aboriginal groups including the Saanich and Cowichan used the wood for spears, building material, halibut hooks and knitting needles.

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