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Summer-holly

Comarostaphylis diversifolia

Last reviewed: September 2026

Summer-holly (Comarostaphylis diversifolia)
Photo: (c) Aaron Kreisberg, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Summer-holly (Comarostaphylis diversifolia) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

72"–144" H × 72"–120" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

CA

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds

Before you buy

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Dense evergreen shrub with reddish, shredding bark, glossy dark leaves, and clusters of small white urn-shaped flowers followed by warty red berries. Found on coastal chaparral slopes.

Wildlife value

Flowers attract native bees; red berries are eaten by birds in late summer.

Common questions

How much sun does Summer-holly need?
Summer-holly grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Summer-holly bloom?
Summer-holly blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Summer-holly native?
Summer-holly (Comarostaphylis diversifolia) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Summer-holly attract?
Summer-holly draws bees and hummingbirds.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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