Japanese ardisia is a low shrub native to East Asia and grown in shady U.S. gardens. Its dark green leaves have fine teeth along the edges, and red fruits appear in fall and can remain into winter.
Appearance
Growth form
This evergreen shrub usually stands about 8–12 in. (20–30 cm) tall and spreads by underground stems.
Leaves
Dark green leaves cluster near the stem tips and have fine teeth.
Flowers
Small white to pale pink flowers hang beneath the leaves.
Flowering time
In U.S. gardens, it flowers in summer.
Fruit
Small fruits appear in fall and can remain into winter in U.S. gardens.
Japanese ardisia stays around 8–12 in. (20–30 cm) tall and has finely toothed leaf edges. Coral ardisia is usually 2–6 ft (0.6–1.8 m) tall, with broader, scalloped leaf edges.
Why they get mixed up · Both have evergreen leaves and red fruit in Florida.
Japanese cleyera grows into a 10–15 ft (3–4.5 m) shrub or small tree with smooth leaf edges. Japanese ardisia stays around 8–12 in. (20–30 cm) tall and has fine teeth on its leaves.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
Shady gardens
North Florida hardwood forests
Range
Native to East Asia, it is grown in U.S. gardens and has established wild populations in north Florida. Florida lists it as a Category II plant, with the main concern in the northern part of the state.
Name and classification
About the name
Japanese ardisia is also called marlberry.
Varieties and forms
Garden selections include ‘Hakuokan’ with broad white leaf edges and ‘Hinode’ with yellow centered leaves.