The Holly-leaf/Catalina Cherry is a woody evergreen shrub or small tree native to central California and Baja California. It has holly-like glossy green leaves and produces white flowers in spring followed by edible red-black berries. Well-suited for use as an ornamental hedge, screen, or in large planters, it attracts birds and requires little care once established in full sun to part shade with well-draining soil.

1. Holly-leaf/Catalina Cherry – Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia & lyonii
(PROO-nus ill-is-i-FO-lee-a ly-OWN-ee-eye)
Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Native to: Central CA coast to Baja (ssp. lyonii on Channel Islands only); along streams (riparian
vegetatin), canyons & north-facing slopes, oak woodland, chaparral, and coastal scrub communities.
Growth characteristics: Woody shrub/tree mature height: 10-25 ft. mature width: 10-20 ft.
Many-branched evergreen woody shrub or small tree. Foliage is an attractive glossy green with
holly-like toothed leaves (ssp. ilicifolia). Branches are gray to red-brown with a pronounced bitter
almond odor and taste. Very long-lived for shrub/small tree – to 100 years or more. Ssp. lyonii is
more tree-like & grows rapidly; ssp. ilicifolia is a very slow-growing medium shrub.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms Mar.-May. Flowers are feathery, white, showy and sweet scented. Fruits
are red-black, edible with thin sweet flesh & large seed. Seeds toxic if eaten in large quantities.
Fruits ripen from November to December.
Uses in the garden: Most often used as an ornamental hedge or screen. Does well on slopes &
banks. Can be trimmed as a small tree for small gardens. Does fine in large planters. Great along
roads, between houses. Berries will stain concrete.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native medium to large evergreen shrubs (particularly those used for
large hedges & screens).
Attracts: Excellent bird and small animal habitat: provides cover and seeds for food. Berries are
readily consumed by many songbirds. Bees and butterflies utilize the nectar.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part shade; probably better with some shade
Soil Any well-drained soil; any local pH (4-8)
Water Deep watering once a month in summer is ideal (once established); fairly tolerant of
garden watering as long as soils are well-drained
Fertilizer Not needed, but probably ok with light fertilizer
Other
Management: Can be pruned to any height (once or twice a year – like any horticultural shrub), or
left to grow naturally. Quite disease and pest-free. Requires little care.
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed; may require cold treatment by cuttings: softwood & layering
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 2, 7-9, 11-14, 19, 20, 24-26, 28 1/14/14
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