Heteromeles arbutifolia ‘Davis Gold’, Gold Fruited Toyon

An interesting cultivar of the native toyon which bears bright golden yellow berries rather than the more common, red-colored fruits. Gets to be a handsome evergreen shrub 8 to 12 ft. tall and wide (or more). Many small, white, mildly fragrant flowers in terminal clusters in late spring to early summer produce pea-sized berries in the winter that are bright yellow with an orange blush. The showy clusters of berries are relished by birds and are great winter decoration.

Toyon is a beautiful plant and easy to grow. It likes sun or part shade, though they tend to do better in part shade in the southern, drier part of their geographic range. It needs little water once established but will tolerate some water if drainage is good.

Toyon can handle a wide variety of soils, including clay, sand and serpentine. An excellent hedge plant, it is also useful for erosion control or slope stabilization. Protect from deer as they will eat the new growth for the first few years. It can be pruned to be more tree-like but don’t give it a hard pruning. This selection is considered more disease resistant than most toyon.