Botanical: Ardisia crenata
Common: Coralberry Plant, Spiceberry
Family: Primulaceae
Synonym: Ardisia crenulata
Tropical shrubs and small trees from Asia and South America, the genus Ardisia has around 300 species. Few however have come into ornamental cultivation.
The evergreen Ardisia crenata is native to southern China, southeast Asia, southern Japan, Malaysia and Philippines, found naturally as a forest understory plant. It is a weed in some areas so care is needed before this plant is used in a garden.
A shrub of 1-2 m tall, it is popular with gardeners for its highly ornamental and long lasting display of vibrant red berries that are clustered at the terminal ends of branches. Small white-pink flowers with yellow anthers are produced spring and summer resulting in berries from autumn and well through winter.
In the northern hemisphere it bears berries over the festive winter season, which is why it is known there as Christmas Berry.
Without the flowers or berries, this plant has highly attractive foliage. Leaves are arranged alternating along the stem. Dark green glossy leaves have distinctive crenulate margins – finely scalloped leaf margins. The textural features of the leaves are a welcome variation for garden designers and plant collectors.
Propagation is by cuttings in summer.
The major pest is mealybugs.
