Callicarpa americana (American Beautyberry)

One of the most visually dramatic native shrubs available, American beautyberry's dense rings of magenta-purple fall fruit provide both a striking ornamental display and a genuine winter food source for birds - a strong specification choice for wildlife-focused shrub borders and understory plantings.

Species Overview

American Beautyberry is a deciduous shrub with beautiful, arching branches and stunning fruit. Light lavender to pink blooms bloom from June to August, followed by spectacular, bright purple, berry-like fruits that ring the stem. The fruits, which last into early winter, provide food for a variety of birds. American Beautyberry is an excellent shrub to put under trees, massed in the back of a shrub border or in a forest garden.

Application

• Understory and woodland-edge plantings, including under trees
• Shrub border massing, particularly at the back of mixed plantings
• Wildlife habitat plantings - fruit is an important winter food source for birds
• Pollinator garden plantings

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Adaptable to many soil types provided drainage is good; moist lowlands to average garden conditions
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Plant Type: Shrub
• Mature Height: 4-8 ft.
• Fall Color: Yellow
• Bloom Color / Period: Pink, Purple; June-August
• Wetland Indicator Status: FACU (Facultative Upland) - Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain region
• Native Range: Central and southeastern United States, Bermuda, and Cuba
• Hydrology: Dry-Mesic
• Root Depth: Moderate (12-24 in.)
• Salinity Tolerance: Low
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate
• Deer Resistance: No (Frequently Damaged)
• Flood Tolerance: Moderate - A moist-woodland shrub tolerant of occasional wet soil, though not a true wetland obligate.
• Shade Tolerance: Intermediate - intolerant of deep shade
• Growth Habit: Vase-shaped - open, arching branches
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9
• Pollinator Value: Supports bees, supports birds