Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is a deciduous shrub found naturally in the southeastern United States. It grows between 3 and 6 feet tall and wide on average, though its been known to reach 9 feet tall. It has a moderate growth rate, gaining around 1 to 2 feet per year until it is mature, and it can be planted in the fall or spring.
Beautyberry plants tolerate full sun to partial shade, and while they like moist soil, they can tolerate somewhat dry conditions. Enjoyed mainly by wildlife, humans can also consume beautyberries, best served as a jelly.
American beautyberry is a stunning ornamental shrub known for its vibrant purple berries that persist into winter With its low-maintenance nature and adaptability, beautyberry is an excellent choice for gardens in USDA hardiness zones 6-10. If you want to add unique color and wildlife appeal to your landscape, learning how to grow American beautyberry is easy
An Overview of American Beautyberry
Beautyberry goes by the botanical name Callicarpa americana. This deciduous shrub is native to the southeastern United States and grows wild from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas and Missouri In the wild, it thrives on the edge of forests and woodlands
This shrub reaches between 3-9 feet tall and wide at maturity. It features slender arching branches dotted with oval green leaves up to 6 inches long. Beautyberry is prized for its eye-catching berry display that arrives in late summer through fall.
The berries grow in dense clusters circling the stems, ripening from pale green to vivid violet-purple. Some varieties bear white, pink, or even yellow berries. The vibrant fruits persist into winter, providing late season color and food for birds before the leaves drop.
Growing Conditions for Beautyberry
Fortunately, beautyberry isn’t terribly fussy when it comes to its preferred habitat. Here are the key factors to provide this shrub for optimal growth:
Sunlight: Beautyberry thrives in full sun to partial shade. At least 2-4 hours of direct sun is ideal, but it tolerates more shade. More sun equals more flowers and fruits.
Soil: Moist, organic-rich, well-draining soil is ideal. But beautyberry adapts to average soil as long as it drains well. Clay soil and occasional drought are fine.
pH: Soil pH between 4.5-7.5 is best, though beautyberry isn’t overly picky. Neutral to slightly acidic conditions are preferred.
Zones: Hardy in USDA zones 6-10. Hot humid summers promote the most abundant fruit production.
Rainfall: Prefers consistent moisture, but tolerates drought once established. Supplement water during dry spells.
How to Plant Beautyberry
For best results, plant beautyberry in the spring after the last frost date. This gives the shrub the entire growing season to develop its root system before going dormant in winter. Here are some tips for planting:
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Choose a site with full sun to part shade and well-draining soil. Improve dense or nutrient-poor soil by mixing in compost.
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Dig a hole 2-3 times wider than the container and as deep as the root ball. Set the plant in the hole and backfill with native soil.
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Water the shrub thoroughly after planting and as needed to keep the soil moderately moist the first year. Add mulch around the base to retain moisture.
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Space multiple bushes 4-6 feet apart. Beautyberry’s billowy form spreads out as it matures.
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Select a named cultivar for specific berry colors like white, pink, or yellow if desired.
Caring for Beautyberry Shrubs
Giving beautyberry appropriate growing conditions is the key to success. Once established, these low-maintenance shrubs require minimal care. Here are some tips:
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Water established shrubs during droughts, supplying about 1-2 inches of moisture per week. The shrubs tolerate some dry spells.
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Beautyberry rarely needs fertilizing, except in very poor soil. A light annual feeding with slow-release organic fertilizer is sufficient.
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Prune annually in late winter to shape the shrubs and improve fruit production by removing old branches.
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Remove suckers and trim back leggy branches anytime to encourage full, bushy growth.
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Mulch plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Replenish mulch yearly.
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No pest or disease issues trouble beautyberry! Just watch for bees when harvesting berries.
When Does Beautyberry Bloom and Fruit?
One of the delights of beautyberry is its low-key flowers followed by abundant fruits. Here is what to expect:
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Small pale pink or white flowers bloom in loose clusters from midspring to early summer.
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Flowers give way to pale green berries in summer. Berries ripen to their vibrant hues in late summer/fall.
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Fruits are showiest in fall but persist into winter after the leaves fall. Peak fruit season is August to November.
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In warm zones like 9-10, beautyberry may fruit twice per year. Further north, expect a single fruiting cycle.
Using Beautyberry Shrubs in the Landscape
Beautyberry’s multiseason appeal makes it a stellar addition to gardens and landscaping. Consider using it:
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As an ornamental accent shrub or planted in groups for color impact
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To create an informal flowering hedge or screen
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In wildlife gardens to attract birds and pollinators
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In partly shaded borders or woodland gardens
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In naturalized areas or native plant gardens
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Around patios, decks, or outdoor living spaces
Its naturally loose arching form works well in casual cottage gardens or paired with grasses and perennials. For more formal settings, prune to shape beautyberry as needed.
##Propagating Beautyberry Shrubs
Beautyberry is one of those generous plants that propagates easily on its own via self-seeding. You’ll often find volunteer seedlings popping up under mature shrubs. Transplant these freebies to expand your beautyberry collection!
You can also easily propagate beautyberry from:
Seeds: Allow berries to ripen on the plant. Remove the seeds and plant them outdoors in fall or after cold stratifying in winter.
Cuttings: Take 6 inch stem cuttings in summer. Treat with rooting hormone and pot up in soilless mix. Keep moist until rooted.
Division: Dig up younger shrubs and divide the root ball in early spring. Replant divisions in prepared soil.
Suckers: Remove suckers that sprout from the shrub’s roots in spring. Pot up or transplant directly.
Common Beautyberry Varieties
Here are some popular varieties to consider:
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Callicarpa americana – Species beautyberry with violet-purple fruits
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‘Alba’ – White berry cultivar
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‘Lactea’ – Another white-berried form
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‘Welch’s Pink’ – Unique pink-berried variety
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‘Berry Heavy’ – Abundant violet-purple fruits
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‘Shoshoni’ – Compact shrub with loads of berries
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‘Kickin’ Purple’ – Vibrant dark purple fruits on a compact shrub
Harvesting Beautyberry Berries
The jewel-toned berries of beautyberry mostly serve as an ornamental treat, brightening late season gardens. But humans can eat beautyberries too. The taste is a bit odd when raw, but cooking tames the flavor.
Use the ripe fruits to make jelly, jam, syrup, or wine. Kids enjoy beautyberry “popcorn” popped briefly in the microwave. The berries also lend festive color to cocktails and desserts.
When harvesting, wait until after the first frost when berries are fully ripe. Look for deep, rich berry color. Handle carefully as the fruits crush easily. Use the berries promptly or refrigerate for a few days.
Enjoy the Carefree Beauty of Beautyberry
With its low maintenance nature, bold colors, and wildlife appeal, American beautyberry is a star in the ornamental garden. The spectacular fruits steal the show as they persist into winter, supplying late season color when most other plants have faded. You’ll have feathered visitors flocking to your garden to enjoy the berries!
Learning how to grow American beautyberry bushes is easy. A little effort yields years of enjoyment watching these shrubs thrive with minimal care. If you want unique, low-fuss color in your landscape, look no further than the gorgeous beautyberry.
Types of Beautyberry
American beautyberry plants (Callicarpa americana) grow natively in the U.S.; therefore, they are not invasive but can have weedlike properties. Non-native varieties like Callicarpa dichotoma, native to Asia, are considered invasive in Alabama.
There are several types of American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), including:
- Alba: This beautyberry shrub is known for its white berries.
- Lactea: This beautyberry also features white fruits.
- Welchs Pink: This shrub is known for its pink berries.
How to Get Beautyberry to Bloom
Beautyberry flowers are largely insignificant, but they are necessary for the fruit production that the shrub is known for. The flowers come in shades of purple, pink, and white. They arrive in the spring and summer, growing in clusters, with each flower stretching less than an inch across.
Insufficient sunlight is often the culprit if your beautyberry isnt blooming. The shrub also might not be getting enough water. But as long as conditions are right, no special care is typically necessary during the shrubs bloom time.
Growing American Beautyberry – Native Edible
FAQ
Where is the best place to plant a beautyberry bush?
Does beautyberry like full sun or shade?
Is a beautyberry a perennial or annual?
What is the best soil for American beautyberry?
The ideal soil for American beautyberry is well-drained and rich, having plenty of organic matter. If you have clay soil, it’s a good idea to add organic matter — such as compost or composted manure — to help improve soil drainage. During the growing season, American beautyberry is a rather non-descript shrub.
How do you grow a beautyberry Bush?
Take the berries and collect their seeds. Plant your beautyberry bush seeds in the container. Beautyberry bushes will need plenty of sunlight to grow properly — keep your cutting indoors and close to a bright window during its first year. Continue to water your plant weekly, making sure it is moist but not to overwater it.
Does American beautyberry need full sun?
American beautyberry likes rich, organic soil, but it will tolerate less-delicious soils, as long as they are well-draining. Depending where you live and plant it, it may take full sun, though it will need lots of water. Here in Texas, it’s often used as an understory shrub, with dappled shade. Photo by Gretchen Heber.
Can American beautyberry grow in full shade?
American beautyberry is often promoted as an understory plant because it can tolerate shade. However, full shade situations will often reduce the amount of flowers and foliage the plant produces. Opt for sites in full sun to part shade if you can.