Shrub
Marlberry
Ardisia escallonioides
Varieties We Carry
StandardArdisia escallonioides
Sizes & Pricing
3 galFrom$29.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 9.
LightPart Sun, Part Shade, Full Sun
WaterModerate
Mature size12-15 feet × 6-10 feet
About Marlberry
Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides) is a Florida native evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy dark green leaves, fragrant white to pinkish flowers, and clusters of black berries prized by birds. It grows in coastal hammocks and pinelands from Central to South Florida and is a reliable landscape choice for NE Florida privacy screens, bird gardens, and mixed borders in partial to full sun. Starting at $29.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Summer, Fall
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Alkaline, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season. Handles summer heat well once established.
Bloom season. Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
Marlberry adapts from full sun to partial shade; it develops a dense canopy in partial shade making it excellent for privacy screens, and can tolerate full sun in NE Florida if soil moisture is maintained.
Water
Water regularly to establish; once established, marlberry has moderate drought tolerance and grows well in NE Florida's typical dry-to-moist sandy or calcareous soils. No special irrigation needed once roots are settled.
Soil & Fertilizer
Marlberry tolerates sandy, loamy, or calcareous well-drained soils — well suited to NE Florida's coastal and alkaline conditions. Fertilize lightly once or twice a year; this native requires minimal inputs once established.
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Common questions
Is Marlberry a good plant for St. Augustine?
Marlberry is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 12-15 feet × 6-10 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed June 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.