Alphabetical Plant Listing

Ardisia escallonioides (Island Marlberry)

Island Marlberry, Marbleberry, Marlberry, Icacorea paniculata


Ardisia escallonioides (Island Marlberry) is a bushy evergreen shrub or small tree with slender, upright branches clothed in thick, glossy, oblong, dark green leaves, 3-4 in. long (7-10 cm). Blooming intermittently throughout the year, with peak flowering in summer through fall, pleasantly fragrant creamy-white flowers adorned with showy yellow anthers, appear in dense, terminal clusters, 5 in. long (12 cm). They are followed by a profusion of small, edible, reddish berries that turn shiny and black when mature. Birds and small mammals feast on them. Native throughout Central and South Florida, Island Marlberry is a tough, resilient plant valued for its beauty and its resistance to drought and salt. Versatile, it can grow in sunny and shady landscapes, as a specimen plant or as an evergreen hedge or screen.

  • Grows up to 12-20 ft. tall (360-600 cm) and 6-12 ft. wide (180-360 cm).
  • Easily grown in sandy or calcareous, dry to moist, well-drained soils in full sun or part shade.
  • Great for coastal gardens, tropical gardens, native plant gardens or as a flowering hedge or screen.
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Can be pruned or trimmed to control shape or size
  • Propagation by seed. Germination usually takes six months.
  • Native to Florida and the Caribbean region.

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Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 11
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 12' – 20' (3.6m – 6m)
Spread 6' – 12' (180cm – 3.6m)
Spacing 36" – 60" (90cm – 150cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Florida
Tolerance Drought, Salt
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

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Forest and Kim Starr, Flickr, Holly Guerrio, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 11
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 12' – 20' (3.6m – 6m)
Spread 6' – 12' (180cm – 3.6m)
Spacing 36" – 60" (90cm – 150cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Florida
Tolerance Drought, Salt
Attracts Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

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