Species beautyberry
Bright-purple fruits along green stems and pale-green leaves.

beautyberry

Callicarpa americana

Beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana) is a stunning deciduous shrub that's native to the southeastern United States. Its amazing, billowing clumps of lilac-purple berries and delicate foliage make it a year-round treat for the eyes. The berries have a tart flavor that is popular for making jellies and jams. Plus, Beautyberry is an excellent choice for wildlife gardens as its fruits are a favorite among birds, such as blue jays, quail, and cardinals. The blooms of this shrub are also a vital source of nectar for butterflies and bees. It's a great addition to any garden and will grace it with its beauty all year round.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 12

Flowers:

Lavender, pink Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Fruits:

blue,purple Fruits Ready In Fall

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Beautyberry should be watered once or twice a week in the spring and summer. In the winter, the plant needs much less water and can do with just a few waterings a month. When watering, be sure to thoroughly soak the root zone, allowing water to penetrate the soil down to 8-12 inches. It is important to ensure good drainage when watering beautyberry, since the plant will not tolerate sitting in wet soil. Watering can be reduced if soils remain moist, and the frequency should be reduced in winter. During dormant periods, beautyberry will survive on rainfall alone.

sunlight

Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) grows best in full sunlight and requires 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth. However, the plant will also tolerate partial shade, particularly during the hottest hours of the day. While the species is native to North America, it can be found growing in many parts of the world, each of which may feature different levels of sunlight exposure. In more temperate climates, it is best for beautyberry to receive full sun; however, in more tropical regions, some light shade can help the shrub avoid heat stress.

pruning

Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is an easy-to-care-for shrub that requires minimal pruning. The best time for pruning is after the shrub has finished flowering in late summer or early fall. Pruning should be kept to a minimum, with no more than 15-20 percent of the plant removed at any 1 time. This helps prevent damage to the root system and encourage healthy regrowth. Focus on removing any dead, diseased, or broken branches. Prune off any crossed branches, as well as those that are overgrown or very weak. Remove any sucker growth that appears at the base of the plant or near the ground. You can also lightly trim the top of the plant to encourage a rounded shape.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Beautyberry typically starts flowering in late summer or early fall, usually in August or September.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Callicarpa americana is in late summer and early fall, typically from August to October.

Starts Flowering

Beautyberry typically starts flowering in late summer or early fall, usually in August or September.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Callicarpa americana is in late summer and early fall, typically from August to October.

Hardiness Map