Comarostaphylis diversifolia
Also Known As
- Summer Holly
Plant type
tree, shrub
size
- H: 10'-20'
- W: 8'-15'
planting zones
- 8a-11
Comarostaphylis diversifolia plant details
Comarostaphylis diversifolia is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree with green foliage. In spring and winter cream flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees, beneficial insects, birds and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.
CHARACTERISTICS OF Comarostaphylis diversifolia
- Plant type: shrub or tree
- Plant family: ericaceae
- Foliage: evergreen green
- Mature size: 8 FT - 15 FT - wide, 10 FT - 20 FT - tall
- Flowers: cream blooms in spring and winter
- Uses: distinctive bark, easy-to-grow, peeling bark, year round interest
GROWING CONDITIONS for Comarostaphylis diversifolia
- USDA Zones: 8a - 11
- Sun exposure: sun
- Watering frequency: regular - low
- Resistant to: deer, heat
- Soil needs: average and well-drained
Nursery contributed plant descriptions
Native to California’s coastal chaparral north of Santa Barbara & south to Baja, this totally DROUGHT TOLERANT Manzanita relative is easier to grow than many of the fussy Manzanita out there. Sporting lily-of-the-valley like flowers January through April, followed by beautiful bright red berries birds adore & gorgeous, toothy evergreen glossy leaves, it’s a native garden must have. Peeling red/grey bark is pretty, too! Slowly forms an evergreen shrub that eventually reaches small tree status topping out at 20’, but it’s prunable if you want to keep it smaller. Expect it to take five years to reach 5-10 feet. To 8' wide. In nature it survives Summer on coastal fog drip alone, but occasional Summer irrigation is okay once established.
Small burl-forming tree to 20' and often with an equal spread. Fragrant racemes of urn-shaped, white flowers appear from early spring to mid-summer. The clusters of red, warty berries that follow (similar to those of a madrone) are very attractive to birds. Leaves are glossy and dark green with inrolled margins. The grayish-brown bark shreds in thin strips, revealing a reddish inner bark beneath. Plants are best with full sun on the coast and partial shade inland. Adaptable to adverse conditions and tolerant of a variety of soils, summer holly is at its best in well-drained soils with occasional summer irrigation. Similar to Arbutus unedo but with a wild heart. Hardy to 10F. A component of chaparral communities, it is native to the coast of Southern California and Baja.
By: Native Sons
Gardening facts about Comarostaphylis diversifolia plant
How to Grow Comarostaphylis diversifolia
Sun Exposure
- sun
Water Needs
- regular - drought tolerant
Water Needs
- dry in summer
Soil Needs
- average
- well-drained
Special Situation
- heat tolerant
Features
Foliage Color
- green
Flower Color
- cream
Wildlife
- beneficial insects
- birds
- bees
- hummingbirds
- deer resistant
Fruit
- red
Flower Season
- winter
- spring
Foliage Season
- evergreen
Texture
- glossy
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