Marlberry
Ardisia escallonioides
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Mar 9, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
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
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
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 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.
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.
Similar needs
Elderberry
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Saltbush
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Ligustrum
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Simpson's Stopper
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Redbud
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Sugarberry
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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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.