California Holly

California Holly

5 Gallon
$56.90
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California Holly
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California Holly

Heteromeles arbutifolia

A drought-tolerant California native evergreen, famous for its winter red berries and wildlife value.

$56.90
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Description

California Holly, also known as Toyon or California Berry, is a prized California native evergreen shrub or small tree. It is a cornerstone of the native garden, offering exceptional drought tolerance, wildlife value, and spectacular seasonal color. Its clusters of small white summer flowers give way to dense bunches of bright red berries in winter, which persist for months and are a celebrated food source for birds. Its leathery, dark green foliage provides a perfect year-round backdrop, making it an excellent choice for natural screens, slopes, or as a habitat-focused specimen.

  • Iconic Winter Red Berries: Produces prolific, long-lasting clusters of bright red berries in late fall and winter, resembling holly and giving it the common name "California Holly."

  • Exceptional Drought Tolerance & Toughness: A superb native plant that is highly drought-tolerant once established and thrives in poor, rocky soils with minimal care.

  • Vital Wildlife Plant: The flowers attract butterflies and bees, while the winter berries are a crucial food source for numerous bird species, including cedar waxwings and robins.

  • Handsome Evergreen Foliage: Features leathery, dark green, toothed leaves that provide a lush, clean backdrop throughout the year.

  • Versatile Landscape Use: Can be pruned as a large shrub, shaped into a small multi-trunk tree, or used for erosion control on slopes.

Quick Facts

Processed facts

  • Mature height: 10-15 ft
  • Mature spread: 6-8 ft
  • Light: Full sun to partial shade

Needs confirmation

  • Features:Foliage: Oblong, leathery dark green leaves with serrated edges and glossy surface,Flowers: Creamy pink blossoms with prominent stamens in large panicles (winter),Fruit: Clusters of bright red berry-like pomes (persistent through winter),Bark: Smooth reddish-brown trunk with attractive texture
  • Growth Rate: Moderate (12-24 inches/year)
  • Key Advantages:Exceptional drought tolerance,Year-round visual interest,Wildlife friendly,Fire-resistant landscaping,Native California species
  • Landscape Uses:Mediterranean gardens,Slope stabilization,Privacy screening,Bird gardens,Holiday decorations

Faqs

Q: Is it true this plant is protected in California?
A: Yes, in wildlands. Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) is a native plant protected by California state law, making it illegal to collect or cut it on public lands without a permit. However, it is widely available for purchase from native plant nurseries for garden use.

Q: How can I get the best berry production?
A: Plant it in full sun. While it tolerates partial shade, berry production is significantly more prolific with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Minimal pruning also helps, as flowers (and thus berries) form on second-year wood.

📍 Primary Delivery Area · San Francisco Bay Area

Local delivery across the Bay Area — and beyond.

San Francisco Bay Area is our primary local delivery market. Victory Nursery also serves additional California markets and selected extended delivery areas by arrangement.

Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

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A good garden starts with the right size

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5 Gallon

5 Gallon

A popular size for shrubs, screening plants and young trees. Large enough to make an immediate difference in the garden while still manageable for most residential projects.

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15 Gallon

15 Gallon

One of the most common larger landscape sizes for trees and shrubs. It offers noticeable height and fullness while still being practical for many residential planting projects.

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24" Box

24" Box

A substantial tree and shrub size with immediate visual impact. It usually requires a dolly, hand truck or similar equipment for moving, and access should be considered before delivery.

Explore 24" Box Trees

Gallon describes the container size, not a guaranteed plant height. Individual plants vary. Contact our nursery for current measurements.

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