woodland shrub
Summer holly
Comarostaphylis diversifolia
Native to California
Coastal southern California and adjacent Mexico
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones 8–11 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Mar–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 30 ft to 9.1 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland shrub for partial shade and lean, dry soil. At up to 30 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 8–11.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Hummingbirds Broad-billed Hummingbird also White-eared Hummingbird, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird
- Bees Western Honey Bee
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- CaliforniaUnited States (1): CA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Coastal southern California and adjacent MexicoThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 8–11The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Dry, well-drained soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 30 ft (to 9.1 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Mar–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.