Heteromeles arbutifolia, Toyon

Toyon

An evergreen shrub to small tree that grows up to thirty feet high and fifteen feet wide.  This plant can grow up to ten feet in three years.  It has white flowers that bloom in the summer.  It is great for erosion control or slope stabilization because this shrub eventually becomes deep rooted.  Plants can take two years to get established and can be fragile until established.  

Young plants being grown as shrubs should be regularly pinched to develop a full appearance.  If you want the plant to become a tree do not pinch, you should lightly prune and stake.  Prune plants during the winter for optimal berry production and early spring before new spring growth.  You can prune a second time during late spring while the plant is actively producing new growth.  If you pinch off the flowers the plants will not produce berries.  If burned in fires mature plants will resprout.  Toyons are susceptible to fire blight, pruning equipment should be sterilized in between each cut.

An easy California Native to grow in the Los Angeles area.   For more recommendations visit our Easiest California Native Plants to grow in your garden guide. 

Plant with: Lemonadeberry (Rhus integrifolia), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos species), Ceanothus species, Milkweed (Asclepias species), Giant Wild Rye (Elymus condensatus), Sand Aster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia), Sagebrush (Artemisia californica), Monkeyflower (Mimulus species), Encelia californica, Buckwheat (Eriogonum species), Heartleaf Keckiella (Keckiella cordifolia), Penstemon species, Salvia species, Blue-eyed Grass(Sisyrinchium bellum)

- Plant in full sun or part shade

- Tolerant of most soils

- Water twice a month once established

- Great companion plant under evergreen oaks

- Drought tolerant

- Fire resistant

- Hardy up to -5 degrees

- Attracts birds, bees and butterflies

- Deer resistant

-Native to California

*Berries are toxic if ingested!

Tongva - ashuwet
Kumeyaay - hosiill