Catalina Island Cherry
Prunus ilicifolia subsp. lyonii
Climate Match for your location
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A native evergreen tree endemic to Catalina Island with glossy, holly-like leaves and small white flowers followed by dark red to black cherries. Highly drought-tolerant and well-suited to coastal Mediterranean climates.
Why grow it
Catalina Island Cherry offers dense evergreen screening and ornamental interest with minimal water input once established, making it a practical alternative to non-native ornamental cherries in drought-prone regions. The holly-like foliage and small dark fruits provide year-round visual texture and wildlife value without the disease susceptibility or supplemental watering demands of deciduous Prunus species commonly used in landscapes.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during their first growing season despite the species' eventual drought tolerance, so establishment care differs from mature plant needs. The dense canopy can shade understory plantings substantially, requiring careful siting if you intend companion plantings beneath or nearby.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Catalina Island, California
Native to: California
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A native evergreen tree endemic to Catalina Island with glossy, holly-like leaves and small white flowers followed by dark red to black cherries. Highly drought-tolerant and well-suited to coastal Mediterranean climates.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Catalina Island Cherry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Catalina Island Cherry offers dense evergreen screening and ornamental interest with minimal water input once established, making it a practical alternative to non-native ornamental cherries in drought-prone regions. The holly-like foliage and small dark fruits provide year-round visual texture and wildlife value without the disease susceptibility or supplemental watering demands of deciduous Prunus species commonly used in landscapes.
Watch out for
Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during their first growing season despite the species' eventual drought tolerance, so establishment care differs from mature plant needs. The dense canopy can shade understory plantings substantially, requiring careful siting if you intend companion plantings beneath or nearby.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Catalina Island, California
Native to: California
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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