Heteromeles arbutifolia
is a large shrub or small tree
depending upon the exposure, pruning style, and age. The
California native Toyon will grow at its best
under the high shade of oaks inland or in the sun near the coast. Toyon can
grow 25 feet
tall and wide and puts on a great show of red berries just in time for the Christmas
season. Heteromeles arbutifolia is a great plant for attracting birds to your
garden. While I was photographing this bunch of berries a California
Thrasher came by and ate berries for awhile. California Thrashers
have one of the most musical songs. Toyon often suckers prolifically from the base if it is kept to a tree shape.
The trunks can be a bit weak if Heteromeles is grown in tree form, which
is not so surprising if you think on it a bit. The natural shape is
a shrub where the upright branches are supported by the lower branches. If
a trunk should fall new shoots will almost always pop out at the
base. So I just cut them off short and wait for them to
regenerate. Toyon is in the rose family and like Pyracantha and
Asian Pears is susceptible to fire blight. When I notice branches with
lots of dead leaves I cut them off immediately.
High
resolution images of
Heteromeles arbutifolia are available.
