Heteromeles Species, California Christmasberry, California Holly, Toyon
Heteromeles arbutifolia
Family: | Rosaceae (ro-ZAY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Heteromeles (het-er-OH-mel-eez) (Info) |
Species: | arbutifolia (ar-bew-tih-FOH-lee-uh) (Info) |
Synonym: | Crataegus arbutifolia |
Synonym: | Heteromeles fremontiana |
Synonym: | Heteromeles salicifolia |
Synonym: | Photinia arbutifolia |
Category:
Shrubs
Trees
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Foliage Color:
Dark/Black
Height:
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
Spacing:
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
White/Near White
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
Seed Collecting:
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Aptos, California
Arroyo Grande, California
Canoga Park, California
Chico, California
Davis, California
Day Valley, California
Kelseyville, California
Los Angeles, California
Malibu, California
Martinez, California
NORTH FORK, California
Oak View, California
Paradise, California
Redwood City, California
Rio del Mar, California
Sacramento, California
San Diego, California
San Gabriel, California
Santa Cruz, California
Saratoga, California(2 reports)
Vacaville, California
Valley Center, California
Vista, California(9 reports)
Yorba Linda, California
Portland, Oregon
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Oct 2, 2012, manza from Long Beach, CA (Zone 10b) wrote: Here's an article about this plant: |
Positive | On Jun 24, 2011, ogon from Paradise, CA (Zone 9a) wrote: Forms a large airy shrub with glossy evergreen leaves year-round. Birds love the winter berries, and there pretty white flowers in spring. The flowers have a strong and unappealing scent though, so I would not recommend planting this too close to your house. |
Positive | On Jul 5, 2009, Ficurinia from Portland, OR wrote: Here in Portland, Oregon it is a bit more rainy than California, but planted underneath a Doug fir in a dry sunny spot here in the city this plant has done really well. (I live on a volcano so maybe that helps?) Its other friends include a Ceanothus and an Arbutus and they do great where no one else seems to want to grow. The berries are great in the fall/winter and the blooms in summer are subtle yet creamy. The trio does a great job blocking the view pedestrians might otherwise have of our living room and this makes me love it even more. |
Positive | On Aug 4, 2005, YLcalif from Yorba Linda, CA wrote: This plant grows on very little water alongside Prickly Pear cactus in its native chaparral habitat above my property line. After ripping out a slope of ice plant a couple of years ago, Toyons were one of the first native plants to be restored. Some were planted in a raised garden bed with average water and the Toyons became a bit scraggly. But the Toyons planted on the steep slope receiving less water have a much nicer compact form. |
Positive | On Mar 26, 2005, Chuck1260 from Arroyo Grande, CA wrote: Great shrub or small tree. White flowers in the summer and red berries in the fall and winter. One of the principal chaparral plants in California. Fast growing under the right conditions. Water efficient, tolerates most soils. Can be pruned to form a small tree. It is suseptible to fire blight. Looks good most of the year, can tolerate more water than most chaparral natives. |
Positive | On Dec 7, 2004, CApoppy from Santa Cruz Mountains, CA (Zone 9a) wrote: I love toyon. |
Positive | On Nov 15, 2004, csm73 from Santa Rosa, CA wrote: I live in Oak Woodlands and am returning my soil to its natural state clay/rock(volcanic) and the natural soil fungi ae doing well. The toyon volunteered from seeds dropped by birds and deer. Call it a free packet of fertilizer with each seed. Each spring 3 or 4 new seedlings start up in 1/3 acre. As few neighbors have toyon (it is a bit straggly) I figure the seedlings come from my seeds - a success ratio of oh 1 in 3000. Several dozen softball sized clusters of bright red pea-sized berries form on each mature plant. Good contrast with dark evergreen leaves (which deer nibble on). Late winter ONE flock of migrating little birds will eliminate all of them each year. |