Sugarberry
Celtis laevigata
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Jul 16, 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 Sugarberry
Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), also known as Sugar Hackberry, is a medium to large deciduous native tree of the southeastern United States, recognized by its distinctive corky, warty gray bark and lance-shaped leaves with an asymmetrical base. Small, dark purple to black drupes ripen in fall and are a critical food source for a wide range of songbirds and other wildlife. A tough, adaptable tree of bottomlands and floodplains, it also performs well in upland landscape conditions. Starting at $19.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Clay, Acidic, Alkaline, Well-drained, Wet
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Active growing season.
Foliage may begin to change or drop. Ideal planting window.
Dormant — drops foliage. Can be planted in mild winter periods.
Care essentials
Sugarberry performs best in full sun but tolerates partial shade. In NE Florida it is adaptable to a wide range of urban sites; select an open location away from pavement to prevent mechanical injury that leads to trunk rot.
Once established, Sugarberry is moderately drought-tolerant and adapts to both wet bottomlands and drier upland sites. Supplemental irrigation during the first 2–3 years helps establish deep roots in NE Florida's sandy soils.
Extremely adaptable to sandy, loam, clay, and even periodically flooded soils across a wide pH range. Fertilizer is rarely needed once established; if desired, apply a slow-release balanced fertilizer in early spring during the first few years.
Similar needs
Redbud
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Red Maple
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Redbay
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Winged Elm
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, and zone 9a hardiness.
Elderberry
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Marlberry
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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Common questions
Is Sugarberry a good plant for St. Augustine?
Sugarberry is a tree for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 50-70 feet × 50-70 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.