Ardisia spp.

marlberry

Primulaceae

Tropical and subtropical Asia, the Pacific, and the Americas

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 8–11

Overview

Ardisia spp. is a large genus of roughly 400 to 700 evergreen shrubs and small trees in the family Primulaceae, found through tropical and subtropical Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas. Plants range from low subshrubs under 1 foot (0.3 m) to small trees 20 feet (6 m) tall, most carrying glossy, leathery, dark green leaves with finely scalloped or gland-dotted margins. Small star-shaped flowers 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) across open in clusters in white to pink, followed by round berries that ripen through red to black and often persist for months. Many species grow as forest-understory plants in shade and humidity. Birds feed on the fruit and spread the seed widely, and several species, including A. crenata and A. elliptica, have become invasive weeds in Florida, Hawaii, and other warm regions. Ardisia spp. is frost-sensitive and is damaged or killed below about 25F (-4C). The native North American marlberry, A. escallonioides, is grown as a hedge and screen in frost-free gardens.

Native Range

Ardisia spp. is native to tropical and subtropical Asia, the western Pacific, and the Americas. The marlberry A. escallonioides is native to Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America, while many ornamental species originate in East and Southeast Asia.

Suggested Uses

Used as evergreen understory shrubs, low hedges, and foliage houseplants, and as berrying pot plants for winter colour. Shrubby species are spaced 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 m) apart as a screen in shaded, frost-free gardens. Compact forms grow in containers indoors.

How to Identify

Recognized by glossy, leathery, evergreen leaves with scalloped or gland-dotted margins, often arranged in neat tiers along the stems. Clusters of small five-petalled white to pink flowers are followed by round red-to-black berries that hang below the foliage. The persistent coral-red fruit of cultivated A. crenata is a common identifying feature.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 20'

Width/Spread1' - 8'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

Flowering occurs mainly in summer, roughly June to August, with small white to pink clusters opening among the foliage. The berries that follow colour from green through red to black over autumn and winter and can persist into the next season. Bloom is lighter in deep shade.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pink

Foliage Description

glossy dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

3-5 years to flowering size

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Ardisia spp. in part to full shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil with a pH around 5.5-7.0. Most species need shelter from frost and are grown indoors or under glass outside the subtropics, kept above about 25F (-4C). Water regularly during growth and reduce in winter. The plants tolerate hard pruning and resprout from old wood. Where A. crenata or A. elliptica are grown outdoors in warm climates, seedlings spread into surrounding ground from bird-sown fruit. A slow-release feed in spring supports steady growth.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or early spring to shape plants and limit height, cutting back to a leaf node or main stem. Leggy specimens are renewed by cutting hard, as the plants resprout from old wood. Removing spent fruit clusters limits unwanted self-seeding.