Heteromeles spp.

toyon

Rosaceae California and Baja California

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Heteromeles spp. is a genus in the rose family, Rosaceae, with a single species, H. arbutifolia, the toyon or Christmas berry of California and Baja California. It grows as a dense evergreen shrub or small tree 6-30 feet (1.8-9 m) tall, with leathery, glossy, sharply toothed leaves 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long. In early summer flat-topped clusters of small white five-petalled flowers open at the branch tips and draw many insects. By late autumn these ripen into clusters of small red pome fruits, about 0.25 inch (6 mm) wide, that persist into winter and are eaten by birds. Toyon is a defining shrub of chaparral and oak woodland, tolerant of heat, drought, and a range of soils. The leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic compounds, and the raw fruit is processed by cooking before people eat it.

Native Range

Native to California and Baja California, with scattered occurrences in the Sierra Nevada foothills and coastal ranges. Plants grow in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, and along canyon slopes.

Suggested Uses

Used as a screen, informal hedge, or specimen in native and low-water gardens, spaced 8-15 feet (2.4-4.6 m) apart. The winter berries feed mockingbirds, robins, and other birds, while the summer flowers support pollinators. Plants also serve in wildlife and habitat plantings and on dry slopes.

How to Identify

Recognized as an evergreen shrub with leathery, glossy, sharply toothed leaves and flat clusters of small white flowers in summer. In autumn and winter the bright red clusters of small pome fruits are the clearest field mark. The toothed, holly-like foliage and red berries give rise to the name Christmas berry.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 30'

Width/Spread6' - 15'

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

White flowers open in early summer, generally June to July, in broad flat clusters. Pollinated flowers develop into red pomes that color up from late autumn and hold through winter. The berry display is the main seasonal feature, lasting far longer than the bloom.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

dark glossy green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years to flowering size

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Toyon grows in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil, tolerating clay, loam, sandy, and rocky ground. It is drought tolerant once established and needs only occasional deep watering through dry summers. Plants are hardy to about USDA zone 7 and tolerate coastal and inland heat. Summer water on poorly drained soil can bring root disease. Heavier fruiting follows full sun and a wet winter. Young plants establish steadily and tolerate hard renovation pruning.

Pruning

Plants tolerate pruning and can be shaped as a shrub, hedge, or small multi-trunked tree. Pruning is done in late winter before new growth, removing crossing and weak stems. Hard cutting back is tolerated, with regrowth from the base.