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.
Buy Ardisia escallonioides (Island Marlberry)
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 |
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 |