Carried by 33 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Catalina cherry (Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii) is a lovely evergreen shrub with shiny soft leaves and dark cherry colored fruit. In late spring, striking white flowers appear. Older trees may resemble coast live oak.
As a native plant, it grows in chaparral woodland, primarily in the Channel Islands region.
The edible fruits are favored by birds and other wildlife.
Catalina cherry can be planted as a hedge because its dense vegetation creates a good screen. It is fairly easy to grow and will tolerate garden conditions, with summer watering once or twice a month. It is fast growing once established and moderately long-lived. Fallen fruits may stain concrete paving, if any is nearby.
Tree, Shrub
25 - 40 ft Tall
20 ft Wide
Upright, Rounded, Upright Columnar
Fast, Moderate
Evergreen
Slight
Cream, White
Spring, Winter
Bank stabilization, Hedge
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Very Low, Low, Moderate
Max 2x / month once established
Moderate
Tolerates cold to 10 - 20° F
Fast, Medium, Slow
Tolerates a variety of soils.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 8.0
Prune to shape while the tree is young, especially if the intent is for a single trunk tree or a hedge.
Seeds or cuttings. (Bottom heat is said to be helpful.)
7, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*
Slopes, canyons and coastal plains on the Channel Islands and scattered locations on the mainland among chaparral and coastal sage scrub.
Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub
Island companion plants include Santa Cruz Island Ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. asplenifolius), Island Live Oak (Quercus tometella), Tree Poppy (Dendromecon harfordii), Island Bristleweed (Hazardia detonsa), Redflower Buckwheat (Eriogonum grande var. rubescens), Island Snapdragon (Gambelia speciosa), and Giant Coreopsis (Leptosyne gigantea). Other chaparral and sage scrub companions include California Encelia (Encelia californica), California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica), Bladderpod (Peritoma arborea), and Ceanothus spp.
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 76 likely