This section is from "The Horticulturist, And Journal Of Rural Art And Rural Taste", by P. Barry, A. J. Downing, J. Jay Smith, Peter B. Mead, F. W. Woodward, Henry T. Williams. Also available from Amazon: Horticulturist and Journal of Rural Art and Rural Taste.
This is a very ornamental little plant, or greenhouse shrub, that may be readily managed as a window-plant. In February, its berries (a great ornament) are in perfection, the plant being at that time covered with a profusion of its coral-like fruit that hang in small clusters beneath and among the leaves, and which retain the brilliancy of their color for a great length of time. Even without the berries, it is a very beautiful plant for a room, having long, serrated leaves, of a fine, glossy green. Ardisia crenulata will grow very well either in a cold room or one where there is a fire, and should receive a supply of water frequently, until the commencement of April, after which it may have it every day. This, like all other plants with shining leaves, soon shows the dust; it is, therefore, a good plan to sponge the leaves once a week, by which means it will always be a gay and lively ornament for the sitting-room, and its health will, at the same time, be promoted A mixture of loam and peat soil is found to grow it well.
 
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