Plant Library

Other Names:  Christmas Berry, California Holly

Description:

An evergreen shrub to small tree that produces white flowers in summer followed by beautiful clusters of red berries in fall, that persist into winter; excellent as a screen or specimen plant, or limbed up as an accent tree; needs good air circulation

Ornamental Features

Tonyon features showy clusters of white star-shaped flowers at the ends of the branches in mid summer. It features an abundance of magnificent red berries from mid fall to late winter. It has green evergreen foliage. The serrated narrow leaves remain green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Tonyon is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds, bees and butterflies to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Disease

Tonyon is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Tonyon will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is native to parts of North America.