Toyons are important evergreen bushes in oak woodlands and chaparral communities. They commonly grow from 8 to 10 feet tall very quickly but can get much larger. Mid-summer they’re covered with clusters of white flowers that attract large numbers of pollinators and is host to likely 9 butterflies and moths. In the winter they produce lipid-rich red berries that birds love. Because of their popularity with birds and insects they make a great addition to habitat restoration sites. They tend to do better with a little more water than most chaparral shrubs. Planting them in a backyard where you can give them occasional water in the summer, or near a seasonal creek is a good choice.
