Heteromeles arbutifolia, Toyon

Toyon, also known as Christmas Berry, is an evergreen shrub that produces bunches of fragrant white flowers attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. In the winter, these turn into vibrant clusters of scarlet berries. The berries are eaten by many birds, including Mockingbirds, American Robins, and Cedar Waxwings. Mammals, including coyotes and bears, also eat and disperse the berries.

Toyon is a prominent component of the Coastal Sage Scrub plant community, and is a part of drought-adapted Chaparral, Mixed Evergreen Forest and Oak Woodland habitats. Toyon is a beautiful plant and easy to grow. If properly situated, it can grow very quickly—up to 10 feet in three years. In old age it can reach 20 ft. Toyon likes sun or part shade, though they tend to do better in part shade in the southern, drier part of their geographic range. Needs little water once established but will tolerate some water if drainage is good.

It can handle a wide variety of soils, including clay, sand and serpentine. An excellent hedge plant; 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.