Fall foliage from the east coast is spectacular but this is the west coast and out here we're sophisticated, cutting edge and know that colorful leaves just means lots of raking. So how do sophisticated, cutting edge westerners celebrate the coming of the cooler months? That's a berry good question.
Comarostaphylis diversifolia
Summer Holly
This isn't a plant you see a lot of and that's a real shame. I'm relatively new to it myself only seeing it this year near Tilden Park. Summer Holly is evergreen with masses of urn shaped blossoms in late Spring followed in late Summer and Fall by the berries shown above.
The next three species all grow within 1 mile of each other.
Arbutus menziesii
Pacific Madrone
A few Madrone colonies are scattered around the East Bay and two near me have made more commute more enjoyable for the last half of the year. I first noticed the berries forming in summer and looked forward to watching them ripen up into the fall. Two of the more mature trees are just covered in red at the moment.
Lonicera hispidula
California Honeysuckle
These deciduous vines remind me of the people waiting in line for American Idol auditions, scrambling over each other screaming "look at me". They first audition in Spring with showy flowers of pale yellow and pink that pop off the hillside to wave at passing cars. If they didn't make it to Hollywood the first time, they make another effort on the Fall. Glowing red berries contrast perfectly with the dark green leaves of the vine or other plants it has climbed over for a shot of fame.
Heteromeles arbutifolia
Toyon
Old Faithful. Easy nature, nice foliage and great fall berries make Toyon one of the best plants for gardens. Even against the show ponies listed about it still puts on a great show. Too much red for you? There is even a yellow berried cultivar named 'Davis Gold'.
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