Toyon, Christmasberry, California-holly

Scientific Name: Heteromeles arbutifolia (Lindl.) M. Roemer
Synonym: Crataegus arbutifolia, Heteromeles salicifolia, Photinia arbutifolia, Photinia arbutifolia
Family: Rosaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: 5-24
USDA: 7-11

Sun Exposure: Full sun, tolerates part shade

Origin: Southern California to Baja California

Growth Habits: Evergreen shrub to small tree, 6 to 20 feet tall (2-6 m), 4 to 10 feet waide (1.2-3 m); leathery shiny dark green leaves, sharply toothed and bristle tipped, 2 to 4 inches long (5-10 cm) with yellow green underside.

Watering Needs: Little water, fairly drought resistant, needs good drainage

Propagation: Seeds, tip cuttings in late summers

Blooming Habits:
Showy, flat-topped or convex terminal inflorescencesr of small white flowers, 0.25 inch in diameter (6 mm), with 5 petals and 10 stamens, in late spring and early summer.

Fruiting Habits:
The bright red to orange fruits are 0.2 to 0.4 inch in diameter (5-10 mm), with 2 or 3 seeds. They are edible, their taste is questionable raw, but they are sometimes used in jellies

Culture:
When planting, do not plant it any deeper than it was in its pot. The Toyon is also affected by a number of fungal disease, particularly by scab.