Callicarpa americana (American Beautyberry)

Grown for its clusters of spectacular berries that grace the plant throughout the fall and often in winter, Callicarpa americana (American Beautyberry) is a bushy, deciduous shrub with a naturally loose and graceful arching habit. Elegant with its long branches that seek the ground, it bears clusters of small violet, pink, or white flowers along its stems in early summer. Although charming, the flowers are fairly inconspicuous and not showy from a distance. Attractive to bees and butterflies, they are, however, abundantly followed by clusters of glossy, bright violet to magenta fruits, which encircle the woody stems. These incredibly showy berries may persist after the leaves have fallen and stand out beautifully if not completely devoured by hungry birds. Adding rich color and splendor to the fall and winter landscape, they contrast with the foliage of elliptical, coarse, fuzzy, light green leaves that turn yellow in fall. Easy to grow, Callicarpa americana species is native to the southeastern United States.

• Quickly grows with a loose, open habit, up to 3-6 ft. tall and wide (90-180 cm).
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, dry to moist, well-drained soils. Best flowering and fruit production occurs in full sun. May become leggy in too much shade. Drought tolerant.
• While cold-hardy, this plant may die back to the ground in harsh winter areas, with new growth emerging from the roots in spring.
• This plant is generally pest and disease-free and easy to grow, and low maintenance.
• Perfect as a specimen plant or at the back of the border. 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 12 in. (30 cm) above the ground in late winter to early spring to encourage compactness and flowering.
• Propagate by seed in fall or spring or propagate by softwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in summer with bottom heat