Botanical Name: Comarostaphylis diversifolia
Common Name: Summer holly
Type of Plant: dicot: shrub/tree
Character evergreen
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape an erect, mostly single-trunked plant, with dense branching to form an oval or rounded full canopy; older plants resemble Toyon, but have a distinctive swollen basal burl
Height 5' - 15' (20')
Spread 2/3 to equal
Growth Rate slow
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors prefers full sun; tolerates some shade inland
Soil tolerates most; thrives in deep clay loam habitats
Hardiness (zones 14-24); adapts best to warm low-elevation locations with marine influenced climate
 
Morphology:
Leaves pinnate, alternate, oblong to elliptic, leathery; 3/4"-3" long, dark green above, pale green/tomentose beneath; margins strongly revolute and somewhat finely serrate
Flowers white, urn-shaped (resembling manzanita flowers), in mostly terminal clusters or racemes; April - June
Fruit a berry; round, red, 1/4" diameter, with warty surface
 
Propagation:
seed
 
Usage:
an accent small tree or a large shrub, valued for its attractive display of both flowers and fruit; large screen or background plantings; good for slope plantings in sunny dry locales
 
Landscape Care:
Watering periodic deep-soak irrigation, especially in summer; avoid shallow watering
Fertilizing as needed; little is needed after establishment
Pruning to shape desired; head high if a tree shape is wanted; selectively head back to promote full, dense growth
Pests/Diseases relatively free
Special Conditions/Other the fleshy berries attract many birds
 
Origin: Southern California/Baja
Family: Ericaceae

Notes:
 
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