Create Your Garden

Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Early Amethyst’ (Purple Beautyberry)

Purple Beautyberry 'Early Amethyst', Beautyberry 'Early Amethyst', Early Amethyst Beautyberry, Early Amethyst Purple Beautyberry

Callicarpa Dichotoma 'Early Amethyst', Purple Beautyberry 'Early Amethyst', Shrub, Purple Berries, Purple Fruits, Flowering Shrubs

Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Early Amethyst’ (Purple Beautyberry) is a small, compact, rounded, deciduous shrub primarily grown for its eye-catching display of shiny purple berries from late summer through fall. It bears clusters of small lavender flowers in summer along its elegantly arching stems. Attractive to bees and butterflies, they are abundantly followed by clusters of glossy, bright amethyst fruits in late summer, which persist after the leaves have fallen and stand out beautifully. This cultivar is noted for its fruits that ripen well before other Beautyberries. Adding rich color to the landscape, they make a lovely contrast with the foliage of elliptic green leaves. Easy to grow.

  • Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 cm).
  • A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is best grown in average, medium, well-drained soils. Best flowering and fruit production occurs in full sun. May become leggy in too much shade. Fairly adaptable to different soil types, but fertile soil with good drainage is preferred. Some drought tolerance.
  • Easy to grow and low maintenance, this plant is affected by very few pests and diseases. It is also rarely bothered by deer.
  • Mass in mixed shrub borders, containers, and foundation plantings. Perfect also as a specimen plant or deciduous hedge or screen. Best fruit production occurs when these Beautyberry shrubs are planted in groups or massed (better cross-pollination).
  • Blooms on new growth. Prune stems back to 6 in. (15 cm) in late winter to early spring to encourage compactness and flowering.
  • Callicarpa dichotoma species is invasive in Alabama. As an alternative, use Callicarpa americana (American Beautyberry)
  • Callicarpa dichotoma species is native to China, Japan, and Korea.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 7 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Callicarpa
Common names Beautyberry
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spacing 48" - 60"
(120cm - 150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Callicarpa (Beautyberry) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Callicarpa Pearl Glam® (Beautyberry)
Callicarpa Purple Pearls® (Beautyberry)
Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Issai’ (Purple Beautyberry)
Callicarpa dichotoma f. albifructa (White Beautyberry)
Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’ (Beautyberry)
Callicarpa americana (American Beautyberry)

Recommended Companion Plants

Ilex verticillata Berry Heavy® (Winterberry)
Pyracantha coccinea ‘Red Cushion’ (Scarlet Firethorn)
Asclepias (Milkweed)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Small Trees and Shrubs That Attract Birds
Small Trees and Shrubs That Bloom In Fall
Create a Garden with Great Winter Interest
Shrubs and Trees with Colorful Fruits and Berries in Winter
Attractive Shrubs and Trees with Purple Fruits and Berries
Attractive Shrubs and Trees with White Fruits and Berries
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 7 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Callicarpa
Common names Beautyberry
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spacing 48" - 60"
(120cm - 150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Deer
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Callicarpa (Beautyberry) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Early Amethyst’ (Purple Beautyberry) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Early Amethyst’ (Purple Beautyberry) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone