Hollyleaf Cherry
Prunus ilicifolia subsp. ilicifolia
Also listed as Prunus ilicifolia
Also known as Holly-leafed Cherry
Climate Match for your location
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An evergreen native shrub, sometimes grown for its thin-fleshed dark red fruit, eaten fresh or cooked into jelly. It has spiny, holly-like leaves and is drought tolerant once established.
Why grow it
It gives an evergreen option in dry-summer climates where cultivated cherries and plums need regular irrigation. Its dense, compact habit suits hedges and screens better than larger native trees.
Watch out for
It needs well-drained soil, and frequent summer watering once established can encourage root and crown rot. Wear gloves when pruning, since the leaf margins are sharp.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southern California chaparral and oak woodlands
Native to: California
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
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
An evergreen native shrub, sometimes grown for its thin-fleshed dark red fruit, eaten fresh or cooked into jelly. It has spiny, holly-like leaves and is drought tolerant once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Hollyleaf Cherry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
It gives an evergreen option in dry-summer climates where cultivated cherries and plums need regular irrigation. Its dense, compact habit suits hedges and screens better than larger native trees.
Watch out for
It needs well-drained soil, and frequent summer watering once established can encourage root and crown rot. Wear gloves when pruning, since the leaf margins are sharp.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southern California chaparral and oak woodlands
Native to: California
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
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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