Carried by 26 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Hollyleaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia) is a native evergreen tree or shrub in the Rose family that grows in the coastal and inland valleys strip of northern, central, and southern California. It tends to grow on slopes or in valleys, at elevations from 0-5200 feet. It grows in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and southern oak woodland habitats and can vary greatly in size depending on conditions. In dry, rocky or shallow soils it will be bush-like from 5 to 15 ft. In richer soils with more moisture it will attain large shrub or small tree size, up to 30-40 ft.
The leaves are holly-like and evergreen. The flowers are small and white; the fruit is a one inch red to dark purple drupe that is popular with wildlife. The closely related subspecies Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii (Catalina Cherry) is endemic to the Channel Islands, but in appearance and behavior the two can be difficult to distinguish as they hybridize readily.
Shrub, Tree
5 - 40 ft Tall
5 - 20 ft Wide
Mounding, Rounded, Upright Columnar
Moderate
Evergreen
Slight
Cream, White, Purple
Winter, Spring
Bank stabilization, Hedge
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Low, Moderate, Very Low
Max 2x / month once established
Tolerates cold to 20° F
Medium
Tolerates a variety of soils from clay to sand, but performs best in coarse, well drained soil.
Soil PH: 4.0 - 7.7
Takes pruning well. Can be pruned into a standard tree or sheared into a hedge. Prune in late fall after fruit is gone.
Seeds or cuttings
5, 7*, 8, 9, 10, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*
Coastal bluffs and terraces, inland slopes, foothills, canyons below 5, 200 ft.
Chaparral, Foothill Woodland
Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.), California Encelia (Encelia californica), Buckwheat (Eriogonum spp.), Chaparral Mallow (Malacothamnus fasciculatus), Sage (Salvia spp.), Ceanothus species, Yucca species, Dudleya species, and cactus species
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 117 likely
Climbing Cutworm
Abagrotis orbis
Destructive Pruneworm Moth
Acrobasis tricolorella
Frosty Dagger Moth
Acronicta brumosa