Red berries that ripen through autumn and into winter are becoming prominent. They are too brightly colorful and profuse to hide. Those that do not attract too much attention from wildlife may linger after floral color is finished. Some may last longer than the earliest fall color. Otherwise, if wildlife consumes all of the red berries, that is what they are there for.
Plants are naturally exploitative. Since they are inanimate, they exploit that which is not. Those that do not rely on wind for dispersion of their pollen and seed expect insects and animals to do it instead. Their flowers appeal to preferred pollinators, using color, texture, form, fragrance and flavor. Their fruit, which contains their seed, uses similar techniques.
Red berries mature at this time of year for two primary reasons. Plants that produce them prefer their seed to disperse during autumn or early winter. Also, they know that they can rely on birds or other wildlife to eat the red berries, and subsequently ‘disperse’ the seed within. Overwintering wildlife and migratory birds are particularly hungry as berries ripen.
Red berries are popular in home gardens for two primary reasons. Some people like the birds and squirrels who come to eat the fruit. Most people simply appreciate the red color while floral color is potentially scarce. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict how birds will behave. They may prematurely consume berries that should provide color for winter.
Although various hollies provide delightfully glossy and densely evergreen foliage, their red berries are scarce or absent without male pollinators. (Hollies are dioecious, so their genders are distinct.) Male cultivars, which had been rare for several decades, have only recently become more available. Yet, even with pollinators, holly berries are not the best.
Firethorn (Pyracantha), toyon and a few cultivars of cotoneaster are more prolific with red berries. Toyon, or California holly, is native, and is the namesake for Hollywood. It is best in wild landscapes where it needs no pruning. Firethorn produces the most berries but is also very thorny. Some cultivars of cotoneaster are both thornless and pleasantly prolific.
Tony Tomeo 
We have two natives — yaupon and possumhaw — that produce those red berries. The possumhaw can be especially nice in a landscape, since it’s deciduous. The berry-lined branches are gorgeous: until and unless the birds arrive, of course. Occasionally, possumhaw also produces orange or yellow berries, which is a real treat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yaupon briefly became available here, but did not perform well. Prior to that, it had been rare. I think it might be even more rare now that it was something of a disappointment. The foliage gets somewhat discolored by the end of summer, and the berries are negligible. I only like it because it is a holly, and I really want to give any holly a chance. We grew possumhaw briefly at the farm, but discontinued it because no one was interested in purchasing it. No one here knows what it is, and those who do are not so keen on hollies.
LikeLike
I have quite a few red berry plants. Flocks of Cedar Waxwings show up to devour the berries.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It seems to me that, like autumn foliar color, colorful berries are not appreciated on the West Coast of California like they are in other regions. They should be, since most people here came from somewhere else where such color is more popular.
LikeLiked by 1 person