Comarostaphylis diversifolia

Common Names

Summer Holly, Summer-Holly, Mock Arbute, Mock Arbutus

Summary

An evergreen shrub or small tree native to coastal California and Baja California chaparral, it grows to 6–9 m tall with a broad, upright form and shredding gray-brown bark; leaves are glossy, leathery, and evergreen, with gray-tomentose inflorescences bearing urn-shaped white flowers and bright red fruits that mature in summer.

In cultivation, it prefers full sun to light shade on well-drained soils, is drought-tolerant once established, and tolerates clay soils; it is hardy to USDA zones 8a–11 and widely cultivated for bird- and butterfly-garden plantings, suitable for use as a specimen, background screen, or informal hedge.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

10-20 ft

Spread

8-15 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7b-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.0-8.0

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds; fresh seeds require no treatment; stored seeds require 3 months of stratification.

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts hummingbirds, other pollinators, birds