Michael Charters, www.calflora.net
Family
Rosaceae
Botanical Name
Heteromeles arbutifolia
Plant Common Name
California Holly, Christmas Berry, Toyon
General Description
A true California native, toyon is a tough evergreen chaparral shrub or small tree admired for its bold clusters of glossy red berries that brighten the fall and winter landscape. It is long-lived, typically multi-trunked and has a dense, rounded crown. Natural populations exist in the Sierra Nevada foothills and canyons, Baja California and in the sage scrub plant communities along the California coast. It has also become naturalized in areas of Hawaii.
Its lustrous, leathery leaves are deep green and edged with fine teeth. In summer the terminal branches bear billowy clusters of small, white, five-petaled flowers. These are insect-pollinated and primarily visited by bees. The red berry-like fruits color up by fall and persist through winter. Yellow-berried cultivars, like 'Davis Gold', also exist.
Though drought tolerant, this sun-loving shrub grows and looks best if given average irrigation. It responds well to pruning and will sprout back if subjected to fire. Prune in summer to rejuvenate older specimens, remove suckers or shape. Multi-trunked specimens can be pruned to a central leader. Seedlings and young shrubs require more moisture when becoming established. Naturalistic landscapes are ideal for toyon. It serves well as a screen, informal specimen plant and offers forage to wildlife.
This is the only species in the genus, Heteromeles.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 10
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Sunset Zone
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Broadleaf Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
6'-25' / 1.8m - 7.6m
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Width
4'-20' / 1.2m - 6.1m
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Bloom Time
Summer
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Native To
California
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought, Salt
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White
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Fruit Color
Red, Orange Red
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
