Other Names:  Evergreen Cherry

Description:

An evergreen shrub, or small tree with oval, glossy, apple green leaves; showy, white flower cluster in spring, followed by dark red to black fruit that attracts birds; makes a stunning hedge, screen, or accent plant, and takes pruning very well

Ornamental Features

Catalina Cherry features showy racemes of lightly-scented white flowers at the ends of the branches from mid to late spring. It has attractive forest green evergreen foliage which emerges light green in spring. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain forest green throughout the winter. The fruits are showy plum purple drupes which fade to black over time, which are displayed from mid to late summer.

Landscape Attributes

Catalina Cherry is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Catalina Cherry is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Catalina Cherry will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. This plant will benefit from an application of bonemeal and/or mycorrhizal fertilizer at the time of planting. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North America.