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American beautyberry shrubs (Callicarpa americana, USDA zones 7 through 11) bloom in late summer, and although the flowers arent much to look at, the jewel-like, purple or white berries are dazzling. The fall foliage is an attractive yellow or chartreuse color. These 3 to 8 foot (91 cm.- 2+ m.) shrubs work well in borders, and youll also enjoy growing American beautyberries as specimen plants. The berries last several weeks after the leaves drop – if the birds dont eat them all.
Beautyberries live up to their common name, which comes from the botanical name Callicarpa, meaning beautiful fruit. Also called the American mulberry, beautyberries are Native American shrubs that grow wild in woodland areas in Southeastern states. Other types of beautyberries include the Asian species: Japanese beautyberry (C. japonica), Chinese purple beautyberry (C. dichotoma), and another Chinese species, C. bodinieri, which is cold hardy to USDA zone 5. Beautyberry shrubs reseed themselves readily, and the Asian species are considered invasive in some areas. You can easily grow these shrubs from seeds. Collect the seeds from very ripe berries and grow them in individual containers. Keep them protected for the first year, and plant them outdoors the following winter.
Plant American beautyberries in a location with light shade and well-drained soil. If the soil is very poor, mix some compost with the fill dirt when you backfill the hole. Otherwise, wait until the following spring to feed the plant for the first time. Young beautyberry shrubs need about an inch (2.5 cm.) of rain per week. Give them a slow, deep watering when rainfall isnt enough. They are drought-tolerant once established. Beautyberries dont need a lot of fertilizer, but will benefit from a shovelful or two of compost in spring.
If you’ve noticed your American beautyberry shrub growing in odd, sprawling sideways directions instead of upright, you’re probably wondering what’s causing this unnatural growth habit. As an avid gardener and beautyberry enthusiast myself, I’ve seen this issue pop up a few times over the years. Based on my experience troubleshooting sideways-growing beautyberry shrubs, I wanted to share the main reasons this happens and how to get your plant back on track.
4 Common Causes of Sideways Growth in Beautyberry
There are 4 key factors that commonly cause American beautyberry shrubs to start expanding and leaning sideways instead of growing straight upwards
1. Insufficient Sunlight
Beautyberry thrives in full to partial sun exposure. Without adequate sunlight reaching the shrub, the stems get lanky and lean over seeking the sun. Areas with less than 4-6 hours of direct sun per day can result in spindly, sideways growth.
2. Improper Pruning
Pruning is important for beautyberry’s shape and vertical structure. Overpruning or incorrect pruning like shearing can remove too much inner foliage and cause outer branches to droop and grow outwards.
3. Poor Soil Conditions
Beautyberry needs well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH. Poor drainage, compacted soil or nutritional deficiencies force the shrub to grow weakly and lean sideways.
4. Underwatering
Inconsistent watering or drought stress causes beautyberry’s stems to go limp and slump over instead of growing upright. These shrubs need 1-2 inches of water weekly.
How to Fix Sideways Growth in Beautyberry Shrubs
If your beautyberry is growing sideways, use these tips to get it growing upright again:
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Move to a sunnier spot – Ensure the shrub gets at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Morning sun is best.
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Prune properly – Prune crossing or damaged branches annually after blooming Avoid shearing and overpruning
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Improve soil – Amend soil with compost and test drainage. Adjust pH to maintain slightly acidic levels around 5.5-6.5.
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Water thoroughly – Provide deep watering weekly if rain is lacking. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses.
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Check for pests – Inspect for pests like spider mites that can weaken stems. Treat any found early.
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Use support – Stake new transplants or thin shrubs temporarily until stronger vertical growth develops.
With the right growing conditions and proper care, beautyberry shrubs normally grow upright and maintain a rounded shape. But stressful environmental factors can cause them to start expanding sideways. Thankfully, adjustments to sunlight, soil, water and pruning techniques can get your plant standing straight again.
Why Proper Growth Habit Matters
You might wonder why a beautyberry shrub’s growth habit even matters, if the plant still flowers and produces the iconic colorful berries. Here are some key reasons upright growth is preferable:
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Better berry display – Straight, upright branches better showcase the berries that drape from branch tips.
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Easier harvesting – Harvesting berries is simpler when branches are upright versus tangled sideways growth.
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Takes up less space – A compact, upright shrub fits better in garden beds compared to sprawling, sideways plants.
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Looks more attractive – Uniform, rounded beautyberry shrubs have a neater, more intentional appearance.
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Reduces disease risk – Upright air circulation lowers humidity levels that could encourage fungal or bacterial diseases.
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Sturdier structure – Vertical branches are less likely to split or break than weakly leaning sideways branches.
So while sideways growth won’t kill your beautyberry or stop berry production, aiming for upright branching definitely makes for healthier, better looking shrubs.
When to Worry About Persistent Sideways Growth
I always recommend giving beautyberry shrubs a season or two to correct sideways growth on their own after environmental factors are addressed. But if you notice the shrub continuing to grow outward despite your best efforts, it may be dealing with a more serious underlying issue.
Seek advice from local agricultural extensions or shrub experts if your beautyberry shows:
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No improvement after 2 seasons of appropriate care
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Significant cane dieback or branch breakage
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Mushy roots or sudden plant wilting
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Multiple years of decline or lack of new shoots
These symptoms can indicate disease, pest infestations, or age related problems requiring professional guidance. Don’t hesitate to ask for help determining the cause.
Enjoy the Vibrant Charm of Upright Beautyberry Shrubs
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How to Prune a Beautyberry
Its best to prune American beautyberry shrubs in late winter or very early spring. There are two methods of pruning. The simplest is to cut the entire shrub back to 6 inches (15 cm.) above the ground. It grows back with a neat, rounded shape. This method keeps the shrub small and compact. Beautyberry doesnt need pruning every year if you use this system. If you are concerned about a gap in the garden while the shrub regrows, prune it gradually. Each year, remove one-quarter to one-third of the oldest branches close to the ground. Using this method, the shrub grows up to 8 feet (2+ m.) tall, and you will completely renew the plant every three to four years. Shearing off the plant at the desired height leads to an unattractive growth habit.
Growing American Beautyberry – Native Edible
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