Ocean-spray (Holodiscus discolor) is a common shade-tolerant shrub native to the Pacific Northwest. Its profuse flowers are something of a roadside attraction in June and July. It is sometimes called "ironwood" (not to be confused with the Acacias, or any other of several dozen trees/shrubs bearing the same common name). Indeed, the stems are quite hard, but are generally too small to be of any serious use. The flowers, however, are another matter. Pollinators love it. It also serves as a larval host to at least one of our Swallowtail butterflies, and also to Lorquin's Admiral (a butterfly I see fairly regularly around here).
