California December Garden Checklist: Toyon, Camellias, and Holiday Traditions

My mother gathered red toyon berries in California foothills for holiday decorations in the 1920s—so popular LA passed a law against it. Today we admire toyon's December red berries in parks and wild spaces.

Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), or California holly, is an excellent garden plant—bigger, brighter berries and glossier leaves than English holly. Distinctive reminder of California's global melting-pot traditions. Plant in dry situations with natives (manzanita, live oak, rhamnus, drought-resistant plants). Use as tall background shrub, focal-point multitrunk tree, or tall hedge/screen at natural property edges.

James Gaither

Toyon Profile

• Botanical name: Heteromeles arbutifolia
• Common names: Toyon, California holly
• USDA zones: 7-10
• Water: Light to moderate
• Light: Full sun or partial shade
• Mature size: 6-10 feet tall/wide as shrub; 15-25 feet as multitrunk tree

Twisting Tradition

Yellow-berried toyon: Heteromeles arbutifolia 'Davis Gold' (UC Davis selection). Big evergreen shrub/small tree, more upright than red species, less spiny leaves, more resistant to fire blight (disfiguring, often fatal disease).

Monrovia

Another Holiday Performer

'Yuletide' Sasanqua camellia: late fall/early winter bloom, bright red with yellow center. Tall, slender for Sasanqua—perfect narrow slot. Blooming plant now in pot near front door. Early-blooming red Japonica camellias: 'Daikagura', 'Freedom Bell', 'Adophe Audusson'.

Monrovia

Just in Time for Holidays

'Pink a Boo'—new 'Yuletide' selection. Big color departure, same yellow center. Early winter bloom, great container choice.

Cut, Living, or Tiny Tree?

Tabletop potted tree—no hand truck, no strained back. Indoors for holidays (child's room?), outdoors afterward. Garden centers/Safeway offer mini trees: violently trained rosemary, young conifers (adorable now, gargantuan later). Instead of Canary Island pine (80 feet mature), choose slower, naturally dwarfish trees.

Deep green irregular pines: dwarf mugo pine (Pinus mugo pumilio). All-time favorite: tanyosho pine (Pinus densiflora 'Umbraculifera')—miniature looking venerable young, sometimes tiny cones in nursery can. Hard to find. Japanese black pine (P. thunbergii) charmingly asymmetrical young but fast-growing; dwarf 'Thunderhead' good for containers.

Monrovia

Traditional shape: Colorado spruce varieties, especially dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca albertiana 'Conica')—available everywhere, does well in pots but stiff/overdressed for most landscapes.

Basic Care for Any Potted Tree

Pot: couple inches deeper/wider than nursery container. Trim roots for proportions (don't overdo). Water thoroughly before bringing in. Check soil moisture every few days. Move outdoors after holidays.

The New York Botanical Garden

Planting Garlic as Holiday Tradition?

Gilroy ("Garlic Capital") tradition: plant garlic shortest day (Dec 21), harvest longest (summer solstice). Fun home crop—little space, experiment with heirlooms ('Nootka Rose'). Divide bulbs to cloves. Plant sunny, loose soil, 2" deep, 4" apart. Water at planting, feed regularly. Keep moist until top growth dries—harvest carefully with spade.

Keeping Feet Dry

Quick fix for winter-soggy paths: bluestone slabs shallowly embedded. Space by normal pace. Dig half-depth holes, damp soil, lay slabs, fill around. Shady bonus: natural moss adds green, disappears in dry weather.

Easy to Grow Bulbs Paperwhites 'Ziva' - $18.36

For Kids Who Can't Wait

Nursery trip for spring bulbs for preschool planting—will 3-year-olds connect brown bulbs to April tulips/daffodils? Immediate alternative: indoor-blooming holiday bulbs. Bright red amaryllis: leaves in 3-4 weeks, blooms in months. Fastest: paperwhite narcissus 'Ziva'—pure white, sweet scent. Start 3-4 bulbs in pebble bowl near sunny window. Post-bloom: transplant to garden for next winter flowers.

Private Paradise: Contemporary American Gardens, by Charlotte M. Frieze - $65

Gift or Inspiration Book

No notable giftworthy garden design books this past year, but 2011's Private Paradise: Contemporary American Gardens by Charlotte Frieze (former House & Garden garden editor) offers insightful design advice and stunning photos. Features leading designers: Raymond Jungles (FL), Thomas Wolz (VA), Kathryn Gustafson (Seattle), Ken Smith (NY), and Californians Marta Fry, Topher Delaney, Ron Lutsko, Pamela Palmer.

Other December California Garden Tasks

Holiday plans and weather dictate. Plenty of satisfying projects if time and soil not too wet.

• Plant cool-season annuals (pansies) and vegetables (peas), or flowering kale (flower-vegetable combo—colorful foliage looks good immediately).
• Plant bulbs. Tulips: chill 4+ weeks in fridge. Daffodils: plant as-is.
• Watch for snails/slugs. Proliferate in cool damp; frosty weather dampens activity.
• Clean up. Rake leaves; start compost. Keep soggy leaves off lawn.
• Frost protection. Coldest nights: move tender containers under cover (eave usually enough). Hydrate well before frost. Frost-protection products at nurseries, but better not to have plants needing such pampering.
• Living Christmas tree care. Wash foliage, soak pot thoroughly before bringing inside.