Heteromeles arbutifolia

Native to the chaparral and oak woodlands of California, Christmas Berry is an interesting, useful, and often underutilized plant. Also commonly known as Toyon or California Holly, Christmas Berry has become a traditional garland in California in the absence of true Holly, harvested in the winter months for its durable foliage and bright red, festive berries. The berries of the plant are edible and were harvested for food by Native Americans. The birds really like them too!

Christmas Berry is a slow-growing, multi-stemmed shrub that can reach eight to ten feet tall and wide. The plants provide year-round interest with leathery, glossy, evergreen leaves, large sprays of white flowers in the summer, and showy red fruit in the Fall and Winter. Christmas Berry is adapted to Mediterranean climates and is extraordinarily drought and cold tolerant. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, with more sun exposure typically leading to a denser growth habit and more abundant berries.

Cold hardy to USDA zone 7a or to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

For sale are 1 gallon potted plants