Native Plants for YLP: Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia
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by Leslie Lipton
Credit shared with calscape.org #5 in our “5 for YLP” series, Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) is a marvelous large shrub. Evergreen and covered with berries in the fall, it grows relatively quickly and tolerates garden conditions. Careful though — it needs to be caged until large enough to tolerate browsing by deer. |
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Toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia
Toyon thriving, safe from deer
Toyon is a beautiful shrub native throughout the western part of California and the Sierra foothills. It is also known by the common names Christmas berry and California Holly from the bright red berries it produces. The city of Hollywood was name for this plant.
In the early summer it produces small white flowers, then bright red berries that mature in the fall and persist well into the winter. The flowers are visited by butterflies and other insects, and birds including cedar waxwings.
Berries persist into the winter
Toyon thrive in the foothills. If properly situated, they can grow very quickly, up to 10 feet in three years. They like sun or part shade, and accept summer water. Toyon can be planted near houses since they are fire retardant when given enough moisture. They are an excellent hedge plant.
A reminder that this plant is not deerproof. Keep it caged for several years, and prune it up as shown in the photo above.
A reminder that this plant is not deerproof. Keep it caged for several years, and prune it up as shown in the photo above.
Toyon make a great hedge, here 2 years old