Botanical Name: Heteromeles arbutifolia
Common Name: Toyon, California holly
Type of Plant: dicot: tree/shrub
Character evergreen
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape an erect, multi-trunked plant, with branches growing upwards and outwards to form a dense rounded canopy; remains shrubby in dry, sunny locations, becomes more open in moist or shaded locations
Height 10-20' (30')
Spread equal
Growth Rate moderate-fast
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors full sun preferred; tolerates partial
Soil well-draining, somewhat dry soils; sensitive to wet
Hardiness hardy (zones 5-24); prefers coastal foothill/valleys
 
Morphology:
Leaves pinnate, alternate (sometimes whorled at tips of branches), elliptic-oblong; serrate margins, 2-4" long, leathery, dark green, pale below
Flowers white, tiny (1/4" across) in terminal panicle-clusters; April-September
Fruit a small pome; pale to bright red, ovoid, 1/4" long
 
Propagation:
seed (plant directly when ripe, remove outer pulp)
 
Usage:
an excellent small accent tree for its form, foliage, flowers and fruit; usable as patio tree or espalier; large background shrub mass or screen; good on slopes for erosion control
 
Landscape Care:
Watering an occasional deep soak is preferred; becomes very drought-tolerant after established; avoid lawn watering unless drainage is excellent
Fertilizing little required except where frequently watered
Pruning as a tree, head high; thin out for picturesque shape
Pests/Diseases relatively free, may get bacterial fireblight
Special Conditions/Other
 
Origin: Southern California/Baja
Family: Rosaceae

Notes:
 
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