Hen's Eyes
Ardisia crenata
- Native to:
- Cambodia, China, Hainan, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaya, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
JMK
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Primulaceae
- Genus:
- Ardisia
- Species:
- Ardisia crenata
- USDA Symbol:
- ARCR80
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun, jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Minimum Light:
- Shade
- Best Light:
- Part Sun, Part Shade
- Habitat:
- Temperate forest, Tropical forest
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Ecology:
- Native to forest understories of East and Southeast Asia, this shade-tolerant evergreen shrub has become a severe invasive species in forests of the southeastern United States, displacing native understory flora through dense stands and prolific fruit production.
Soil Requirements
- Soil:
- loam — also tolerates clay, sandy
- pH:
- 4.5 - 7.0 (acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- moist
- Moisture:
- moderate to moist
- Notes:
- Prefers moist, fertile soils rich in organic matter, but tolerates a variety of well-drained acidic to neutral substrates.
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Seeds exhibit high germination rates when cleaned of pulp and sown fresh; germination occurs within 1 to 2 months at warm temperatures without a required cold stratification period.