Callicarpa americana ‘American Beautyberry’
Photo by David W. Marshall, UF-IFAS Leon County Extension
Family: Verbenaceas Sun Exposure: Sun/partial shade
Genus: Callicarpa (kal-ee-KAR-puh) Height/Width: 4’ – 6’ / 4’ – 6’
Species: americana (am-er-ih-KAH-nuh) Category: Shrub Hardiness Zone: 6a – 10b
Callicarpa americana a native to the southeastern United States, derives its name Callicarpa from two Greek words: kallos – beauty, and karpos – fruit.
The beauty is found in the berries (technically called drupes) which turn a brilliantly colored purple upon ripening in September and October followed by purplish colored foliage. The berries, which are arranged in small clumps that circle the stem, remain on the branches after the leaves have fallen and into the first breaths of winter unless the birds (or jelly making enthusiasts) pick them.
At maturity, this deciduous shrub reaches around six feet tall and six feet wide with a gentle weeping habit. Though happy in partial sun, Beautyberry will produce more berries when grown in full sun. The soil preference is quite varied as it will grow in sandy, loam, or clay texture, with acidic or slightly alkaline conditions. It prefers wet to moist soil but can withstand drought once established.
Propagation is done by seed or by softwood cuttings taken from June to September. Beautyberry is rather fast growing and blooms on new growth, so pruning should be done in late winter. The plant should either be cut back to around six inches from the ground or one third of the oldest stems should be cut out. Pruning in this manner will help to maintain the look of the shrub and
produce prolific blooming.
Other species available that do well in the northern part of Georgia:
|
Cultivar |
Size |
Fruit |
Fall Leaf color |
|
Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Purple Beautyberry |
4’ X 4 ½ ‘ |
Heavy fruiter/ purple |
|
|
C. bodinieri |
6’ X 6’ |
Heavy fruiter/ purple |
Orange ot pink to purple |
|
C. japonica |
5’ X 5’ |
Moderate/ purple |
purple |
|
C. japonica ‘Leucocarpa’ |
|
White |
|
|
C. dichotoma var. albifructus |
|
White |
|
|
C. Americana var. lacteal and ‘Russell Montgomery’’ |
|
White |
|
Beautyberry is a favorite of birds with over ten species feeding upon it. Some birds attracted to it are mockingbirds, woodpeckers, purple finches, towhees, cardinals, Carolina wrens, bobwhites, catbirds, robins, and brown thrashers.
It also provides cover for many animals, so for those who wish to attract wildlife into their landscape this plant will provide much pleasure for all.
Information Sources:
www.gwf.org Georgia Wildlife Federation
www.ext.vt.edu Virginia Cooperative Extension
Photo Credits:
David W. Marshall, UF-IFAS Leon County Extension
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9/05