August 2025 Plant Of The Month

August 2025 Plant Of The Month

The hollyleaf cherry stands out as one of the most valuable keystone species in California's natural landscapes. Renowned for its adaptability and toughness, this native shrub or small tree offers both ecological and ornamental benefits. The plant can reach heights of 15 to 30 feet and spreads 15 to 20 feet wide, with a rounded, upright growth habit. While it is slow to establish, it quickly accelerates its growth once settled.

The hollyleaf cherry is evergreen, showcasing rich, deep green foliage that resembles holly leaves—a feature that inspired its common name. In winter and spring, the plant produces elegant sprays of cream to white flowers, adding beauty to gardens and wild landscapes alike. These blossoms support a variety of pollinators, and the plant serves as a host for caterpillars. As fall arrives, birds flock to feast on the large red cherries, making it a vital food source for wildlife.

Ideal for landscaping, hollyleaf cherry thrives in partial shade and prefers coarse or rocky, fast-draining soils. The literature notes it can take full sun, but Redding full sun and heat necessitates shade-structure mitigation for the first few years.  Once established, it requires low to moderate moisture and can tolerate temperatures as low as 15 °F. Its natural habitat includes coastal California mountain ranges, chaparral, oak woodlands, dry slopes, and canyons. In designed landscapes, it is commonly used as a privacy hedge, for bank stabilization, as a striking single specimen, or in mass plantings, enhancing both ecological health and aesthetic appeal.

As noted in Theodore Payne's 1941 catalog, "Of all our native shrubs, there is none more beautiful than this wild cherry with its rich, deep green holly-like foliage and sprays of white flowers.” This enduring praise highlights the hollyleaf cherry’s combination of resilience, ecological importance, and ornamental charm.

HAPPY Gardening!