American Beautyberry
ID
2901-1033
(Callicarpa americana)
Summary:
Foliage: Deciduous broadleaf
Height: 10 feet
Spread: 6 feet
Shape: upright informal habit.
The primary and sole attribute of beautyberry, a large loosely branched shrub, is the showy display of magenta fruits in the fall.
Plant Needs:
Zone: 7 (perhaps 6b) to 9
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Moisture: Wet to moist
Soil Type: Sandy, loam, or clay
pH Range: 3.7 to 6.4
Functions:
Suggested uses for this plant include border, naturalizing, and massing.
Planting Notes:
Transplants readily.
Plant in well-drained soil.
Care:
Since flowers occur on new growth, prune to within 4 to 6 inches of the ground each spring.
Heavy, early spring pruning increases fruit production.
Problems:
No serious problems.
Alternatives:
Consult local sources, including historic or public gardens and arboreta, regarding cultivars and related species that grow well in your area.
Varieties of Callicarpa americana:
var. lactea has white berries.
Related species:
Purple beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma) is the most refined of the beautyberry species and is more cold hardy (zone 5) than American beautyberry.
Japanese beautyberry (Callicarpa japonica) has metallic purple fruit and yellow fall color.
Comments:
American beautyberry is a native plant grown for its colorful berries in autumn.
Well suited to planting in groups, and to create natural settings.
This material was developed by Carol Ness as part of the Interactive Design and Development Project funded by the Kellogg Foundation.
Rights
Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, re-print, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.
Publisher
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Rick D. Rudd, Interim Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; Wondi Mersie, Interim Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg.
Date
May 1, 2009