Plant Notes

PLANT OF THE MONTH:	October 2007
Heteromeles arbutifolia
Toyon (California Holly)   Grown by Richard & Bracey Tiede in San Jose: Grown since 2001 This California native grows as a shrub, 9ft tall or a small tree 15-25ft. Native to most of California, it is slow to establish, but then it is tough, drought tolerant, and long-lived. A select form of H. a. var. cerina, from UC Davis, "Davis Gold" has golden yellow berries instead of the red berries that are typical for this species. It has softer textured, lighter green leaves. It has also proved to be more disease resistant. Interestingly, Richard says the birds definitely prefer the yellow berries As Kerry Barr pointed out, Toyon is the plant that gave the town of Hollywood its name.	Heteromeles arbutifolia      H. a. var. cerina "Davis Gold"