Ardisia
( ar - DISS - ee- uh )
At-A-Glance Information
|
Ardisia, also known as Marlberry, Christmas Berry or Coralberry, is a genus of shrubs, trees, and subshrubs. Species are native to the Americas, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, and are valued for their attractive greenery and red berries that last through the winter months. The berries and foliage are not edible, and are in fact toxic to pets, humans, and livestock, so take care when planting these shrubs in your yard. Use Ardisia shrubs in woodland gardens, in shaded or partly shaded areas, as a groundcover, specimens, or hedge plants.
|
Ardisia Species and Varietals
The genus Ardisia includes about 700 species, and is part of the Primrose plant family, Primulaceae. The best growing zones for Ardisia vary depending on the species; see the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
|
Ardisia crenata (Ardesia crenulata, Ardisia crispa) (Australian Holly, Christmas Berry, Coral Berry, Spiceberry, Hen's Eyes, Coral Ardisia) These plants grow best in zones 15-24, as well as H1 and H2. They can also be grown as indoor specimens. Can reach 4 feet tall and a little less wide, though when grown indoors usually grows to a 1.5 foot single-stemmed plant. Clusters of tiny white or pink-ish flowers bloom in the springtime. Leaves are shiny, wavy-edged, and about three inches long. |
|
|
Ardisia crispa (Japanese Holly) This species of Ardisia is native to the Himalayas, southern China, indochina, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan, and is an introduced speceis in Australia. These evergreen perennial shrubs reach up to 5 feet tall when mature, and are often sold as garden ornamental plants. |
|
Ardisia elliptica (Shoebutton Ardisia, Duck's Eye, Coralberry) These plants are native to the western coast of India, Sri Lanka, Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia, and New Guinea. They are considered invasive in many parts of the world due to their prolific reproductive capacity. These tropical understory shrubs reach up to 16 feet tall and produce light pink flowers. Berries that follow emerge red and mature to deep purple or black. Pulp has the potential to stain skin and clothing. |
|
|
Ardisia humilis (Jet Berry) This species is native to southern China, the Philippines, and Vietnam. It produces evergreen shrubs that reach between 3 and 7 feet tall when mature, and reddish-purple to pink flowers in mid-spring. Fruits are reddish to dark purple, maturing in late fall. |
|
Ardisia japonica (Japanese Ardisia, Marlberry) Grows best in zones 6 and 15-17. This is a low shrub that has a spreading habit (by runners). Upright branches reach 6-18 inches tall and provides a great groundcover for shaded areas. Plant two feet apart for a good groundcover. Bright green leaves are leathery and about 4 inches long, clustered at the tops of branches. Flowers in the fall, in 2-6 flower clusters of white 1/2 inch flowers. Some varieties of this plant include white or gold variegated leaves. |
|
|
Ardisia solanacea (Shoebutton Ardisia) This species is native to Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and western China, where it prefers to grow in moist ravines and in the understory of evergreen forest. It is commonly cultivated as a garden ornamental, prized for its evergreen foliage and showy pink flowers. Individual plants reach up to between 5 and 20 feet tall when mature. |
caring for and pruning Ardisia shrubs
Mulberry prefers partial shade conditions when planted outdoors, and is tolerant of a wide range of soil types (even clay soils) as long as the soil is amended to be well-draining. These plants can be located in the ground or in pots (though in pots they may need to be repotted every so often to ensure best performance). Ardisia shrubs prefer slightly acidic soil They like moist soil, but not wet soil, and do not do well in dry soil conditions. They are tolerant of humidity, but may require less water in these climates. Ardisia shrubs benefit from an application of a balanced slow-release fertilizer every month in spring and summertime. They prefers temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and may need some protection from cooler temperatures; the plant begins to sustain damage to foliage when temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ardisia can be pruned in late winter or early springtime, before the plant puts out new growth. They are generally slow growers, so they do not need pruning often. Prune only to achieve desired shape and remove dead or damaged branches. If you would like to reduce the chance of the plant spreading via volunteer seedlings, you can cut off the berry sprigs when they form. This will discourage free-seeding, but it will also take off the winter color provided by the berries.
Ardisia can be pruned in late winter or early springtime, before the plant puts out new growth. They are generally slow growers, so they do not need pruning often. Prune only to achieve desired shape and remove dead or damaged branches. If you would like to reduce the chance of the plant spreading via volunteer seedlings, you can cut off the berry sprigs when they form. This will discourage free-seeding, but it will also take off the winter color provided by the berries.
Propagation
Ardisia can be propagated via seed or cutting. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant.
Propagating Ardisia by Cutting
Propagating Ardisia by Seed
Propagating Ardisia by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining potting soil amended with compost or other organic material.
- In spring, before the plant has had time to harden its current season's growth, choose your plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6-8 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip off all of the lower leaves, leaving the top two on the cutting. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. You can also simply place your cutting in a glass filled with water and it will begin to sprout roots.
- Moisten your pot with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in bright, indirect light. Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. When you notice new growth on your propagated Ardisia, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home in your yard. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your propagated plant.
Propagating Ardisia by Seed
- Keep in mind that the Ardisia plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a pot or tray filled with well-draining potting soil amended with compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork.
- Harvest your berries. Once they have appeared on the plant, cut off a sprig. Harvest as many berries as you can, and plant all of them in your tray. They will probably not all sow, and the ones that do will be of varying characteristics, especially with hybrid-varieties. The more seeds you plant, the more chances you will have to get the resulting Ardisia you want.
- Barely cover the seeds with planting medium (about 3/4 inch down) and keep the soil moist but not wet by spraying it with your spray bottle. the outsides of the berries will break down under the soil, providing fertilizer for the seeds. Place your tray or pot in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 14-21 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots filled with potting soil. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.
The berries of an Ardisia plant.
|
The seeds contained inside the Ardisia berries are small, and look like this.
|
Problems and pests
Ardisia shrubs have few issues and pests, other than the following:
- Leafcutter Ants
- Mealybugs
- Fungal Root Rot
Gallery
Ardisia can be grown in pots, and also does well as an indoor houseplant.
|
The Ardisia berries provide great winter color to landscapes.
|
Ardisia flowers are not showy, but are followed by bright berries.
|
videos
|
All about Coral Ardisia, and how to grow it indoors.
|
A great video about Ardisia, including its invasive qualities.
|
Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 167, Ardisia
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
