1. Summer Holly – Comarostaphylis diversifolia ssp. planifolia
(ko-mar-oh-STAF-i-lis di-ver-si-FO-lee-a plan-i-FOE-lee-a)
Family: Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Los Angeles & Santa Barbara Counties, including Channel Islands; uncommon in
Chaparral or Coastal Scrub.
Native to:
woody shrub/tree
mature height: 6-20+ ft. mature width: 5-10+ ft.
Erect, evergreen shrub to tree. Leaves are evergreen, glossy green above, thick, edged with fine
sharp teeth. Neat-looking – somewhat like Toyon. Slow-growing.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms Mar-May. Small white bell-shaped flowers in clusters.
showy bight to dark red fruits in late summer/fall. Fruits are edible.
Blooms/fruits:
Clusters of very
Uses in the garden: Most commonly used as an accent plant for it’s attractive form, leaves, flowers
and berries. Valuable as a background, narrow screen or hedge plant. Lightly shredding reddish
bark adds to the ornamental value. Excellent shrub for habitat garden. Fire resistant.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Mediterranean Strawberry Tree (Arbutus Unedo), Cotoneaster,
Ligustrum, Myoporum, Oleander, Photinia. Does better than Toyon or Manzanita in wetter spots.
Flowers attract native pollinators.
berry-eating birds.
Attracts:
Excellent bird habitat: provides cover and fruits for
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part-shade; best in full sun near coast
Any well-drained, including amended clays; pH: 6-8
More tolerant of some summer water than some native shrubs; water thoroughly
once a month after established.
None needed
May be difficult to establish – slow-growing. Prune to shape. Very resistant to
fungal diseases that plague Toyon and Manzanitas.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed best; slow-growing
by cuttings: probably
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 8, 10, 14, 16, 20
11/26/10
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