American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

Fall is in the air. The nights are getting cooler, acorns are falling, and some leaves are starting to change color. Most summer perennials have gone to seed. Goldfinches are feasting on the thistle of Rudbeckia and Coneflower seed heads. Trees and shrubs are full of nuts and berries. Soon squirrels will be eating red dogwood seeds. You will hear them chomping away.

---

While most berries are red or black, one shrub is covered in bright purple berries. American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is a native, deciduous shrub. It has a loose, open habit with medium green leaves. The axillary clusters of flowers are pale lavender and appear in summer. They are not noticeable unless you get right next to the shrub. In the fall, clusters of magenta fruit encircle the stems at the leaf nodes. The profusion of these large clusters of berries is the showiest of the Beautyberries. They mature over a long time period so the display goes on for two to three months. Birds eat the berries. This shrub grows rapidly to 3 to 8 feet tall and wide. It likes well- drained soil and moisture and is salt tolerant. It is not drought tolerant. It takes full sun to part shade and has no serious pests or diseases. Since it blooms on new growth, you will get the best berry production by cutting it back in late winter. There are several American Beautyberry shrubs in the wildflower garden.

---

Another Beautyberry in the arboretum is the Japanese Beautyberry (Callicarpa japonica ‘Leucocarpa’). This shrub has white berries. Its habit and culture are similar to the American Beautyberry. The most obvious difference is the berry production. The berries of the Japanese Beautyberry do not encircle the stem. They are held in two distinct clusters at each leaf node. This shrub has purple berries usually. We have the more unusual white berried cultivar. It is located along the sidewalk near the greenhouse.

The Purple Beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma) is a slightly smaller, more graceful species. It gets wider than tall and has arching branches that touch the ground.  The purple fruits are held in two clusters at each leaf node. This is the one you will most likely find on the market now.

 

Beautyberry Shrubs are easy to grow.  They are covered with gorgeous purple berries in the fall. And they attract birds. A mass planting of them is spectacular. Or just one planted by the street will catch the attention of all who pass by. Cut them back every winter to increase berry production and to keep them small. Beautyberry is a great shrub for the home landscape. Come take a look at ours.