Sparkleberry
Vaccinium arboreum
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Mar 4, 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 Sparkleberry
Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) is a native deciduous to semi-evergreen large shrub or small tree found across the southeastern United States, producing small white bell-shaped flowers in spring and small, shiny black berries in fall that persist into winter and attract birds. It offers attractive exfoliating bark and vivid red fall foliage, making it a handsome native landscape plant. Starting at $32.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Slow
- Foliage
- Deciduous to semi-evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Acidic, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Handles summer heat well once established.
Ideal planting window.
May lose some foliage in cold snaps.
Care essentials
Thrives in full sun to part shade. Full sun produces the best flowering and fruit set. In NE Florida, afternoon shade is tolerated; as an understory native it can establish beneath larger trees.
Very drought tolerant once established — requiring little to no supplemental irrigation on NE Florida's sandy soils. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system.
Strongly prefers sandy, dry, acidic soils with pH at or below 7 — ideal for NE Florida's native sandy conditions. Avoid heavy clay or wet soils. Fertilization is rarely needed; a light top-dressing of compost in spring is sufficient. Over-fertilizing promotes rank growth at the expense of flowering and fruiting.
Similar needs
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Christmas Jewel Holly
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Common questions
Is Sparkleberry a good plant for St. Augustine?
Sparkleberry is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 18-25 feet × 8-15 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 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.