Found throughout the southeast, American beautyberry is a perennial native shrub that produces bright purple berries. The berries which appear in late summer and fall add a spot of bright color in shady areas.
The summer flowers are somewhat inconspicuous, but can add some lavender color to your garden. The flowers attract bees and butterflies.
Beautyberry grows rather quickly and generally grows well in part-shade but can also be planted in full sun. Berry production may be higher in full sun. It can get as tall as 8-10 feet but generally is found around 4-5 feet tall, unless grown in optimal conditions. There is a white berry variety as well.
It can tolerate dry weather, but generally prefers moist but well-drained soil. However, it has low water requirements once established. Beautyberry is tolerant of hard pruning, if you wish to keep the shrub from getting too tall. Pruning should be done in the winter. This shrub is deciduous and will be bare in winter. However, the berries will persist after the leaves are gone, adding some late fall color to your garden.
Wildlife Uses
The berries are a an important fall food source for black bear, songbirds, opossum, foxes, raccoon, deer, squirrels, and even quail. Deer may eat the leaves if other preferred foods aren’t available.
The summer flowers attract bees and butterflies.
How to Propagate American Beautyberry
Beautyberry can be grown from seed, root cuttings, or from softwood cuttings. Seeds should be planted in the fall. If you plan to store them in order to plant later, you will need to clean all pulp from the seeds. Read the USDA fact sheet for instructions: http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_caam2.pdf
Read the USDA plant guide: http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_caam2.pdf
More details can be found at: http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/shrubs/hgic1086.html
In My Garden
I planted American beautyberry around the base of a large oak in my garden. It has only been one year since I planted, but when the shrubs get larger, I think the bright purple berries will really add a good bit of color in this shady area.
Good picture, don’t you just love the bright purple berries! I live in upstate South Carolina mountains, they grow native here.
I love to garden too and spend alot of time gardening when I am not woodworking. check out my post today with couple pictures of American Beautyberry – Beautiful Color
Michael
Michael,
Beautyberry is one of my favorite native shrubs – have you ever since the white-berried variety? I enjoyed the photos on your blog. Beautiful woodwork too.
Hi Kathy,..
I have seen the white-berry variety but they are not native to our area. They are beautiful but not as brilliant as the purple berries!!
Thank you for visiting my blog, hope you visit again soon! I like your site, great pictures!!
Michael
Michael
Lovely pics.
I am planning to experiment with Callicarpa Americana. I am in 7b/8b Charlotte NC. How long after planting do the blossoms appear. Do you think small 18 inch plants would grow/bloom this summer, or would they “wait” until summer 2015 ? 🙂
Thanks !
Keith
The ones that I planted this year produced some flowers and berries, but they definitely produce more the bigger the plant is and the longer it is in the ground. The plants I put in weren’t that much bigger than 18 inches either. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!
Hi there
Grateful for your quick response. Alas, I did not reply with similar speed, so just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to comment. Have not yet purchased any beautyberry, but will plant at end-March here in NC.
Thanks again
Keith
Good luck!