Marlberry
Ardisia escallonioides

This tall, columnar shrub is found in Central and South Florida in maritime hammocks, inland forests and on dunes.  It can take full sun or deep shade, moist soil or dry.

Use it as a privacy screen or as a tall, free standing specimen .  The flowers smell sweet and fruity, yet are not overpowering.

Suckers will come up from the roots and fill in a hedge.  The pea sizes black berries are produced in the spring and several other times of the year.  They are edible yet not very tasty.  The leaves are poisonous so don’t eat or make tea from them.

This is a high quality shrub that can be pruned back or left to grow naturally.

Catbirds love the berries.