Here is the USDA plant profile for the
Ardisia japonica (marlberry)There seems to be a Marlberry species with several varieties, so you might want to compare them and see which variety your local nursery is carrying.
Gallery Images for Scientific Name = ArdisiaUnder the simple heading of "Ardisia japonica" I find that all parts of the plants are poisonous. In general it is an evergreen shrub that grows 6-12 inches and it's hardy down to 15F. See
Dave's Garden and
Almost Eden Plants and
Monrovia. One site says all parts of the plant are toxic, another says it has medicinal uses in Japan and China, and yet another said it didn't know the status.
I don't mean to be putting you off here, but once you know which plant in this group it is you have access to, then we should be able to tell you more. Meanwhile, take a look through the organic guides (
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/Organic-Guides_vq1575.htm) and form an idea of what your soil needs as far as bed preparation before you plant.