More Seasonal Color

Toyon

Other areas of the world have the seasonal reds and greens of Holly and Mistletoe berries and leaves at this time of year; San Diego gets the same colors with the leaves and berries of the Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) and Pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea) shrubs.

The birds, especially Mocking Birds, love the berries from these two plants, and they are welcome to them.

Some gardeners like the Pyracantha for its ability to thrive in conditions of drought and neglect, but its nickname of Firethorn graphically describes why we're not too fond of this plant; its thorns make it difficult and painful to try to prune this plant.