American Beautyberry is a dazzling plant for your fall garden. It attracts birds and other wildlife who feast on its bright purple berries.
In the spring, American Beautyberry is a reasonably unassuming but attractive woody perennial shrub. Slightly aromatic leaves appear on its upright, arching stems, followed by small flowers in late spring and summer that support many pollinators.
But in early fall, American Beautyberry transforms from run-of-the-mill to the star of the garden. Its foliage turns to light yellow, and iridescent purple berries (drupes, technically) appear in its leaf axils. Some varieties have white, rose, or blue berries.
As fall marches on, the leaves drop and the berries are left alone on the stems when there is little else to attract your eye in your fall garden. The berries persist well into winter unless eaten by wildlife like birds, foxes, opossums, and other mammals (which is usually the case).
Where and when to plant American Beautyberry
Native to the southeastern U.S., American Beautyberry can be grown in hardiness zones 7-11 and in zone 6B if winter is not too cold or the plant is protected from a deep freeze.
In its native habitat, American Beautyberry is found growing in the open, in meadows, thickets, woodlands, or on the edges of swamps. In the home garden, it should be planted in spring in a sunny or lightly shaded area and in any soil that drains well and has plenty of organic matter. It cannot tolerate deep shade.
American Beautyberry Maintenance
American Beautyberry has few needs or problems if planted in the correct location.
- In late winter or spring, remove old canes to rejuvenate the shrub for the showiest display of berries, as flowers and fruit appear on new shoots.
- If you want more compact growth, cut the shrub to 12″ above the base in late winter.
- If left alone, it will become a naturally tall, woody shrub.
- During a summer drought, the shrub may defoliate and lose developing fruit.
American Beautyberry Characteristics
| Official Name | American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana). |
| Plant Type | Deciduous shrub (loses leaves in winter). |
| Plant family | Lamiaceae (mint). |
| Hardiness Zones | 6b-10 (may need some protection during cold winters in zone 6). |
| Native range | Southeastern and central United States, Northern Mexico, Bermuda, Cuba. |
| Height | 3-6 Feet (up to 9 feet in favorable conditions). |
| Spread | 3-6 feet. |
| Sun | Full sun to light shade (will not tolerate deep shade). |
| Bloom Time | Small lavender, white or pink flowers bloom throughout summer and support many pollinators. |
| Fruit | Appear in fall. Usually purple, but some varieties are white, rose, or blue. Fruit production is more plentiful on shrubs in complete sun, and little fruit appears on plants in shade. |
| Maintenance | Light. Little needs to be done after the plant is established. |
| Water use | Few. Relatively pest and disease-free. |
| Bark | Smooth. Light brown on old wood, reddish brown on young wood. |
| Attracts | Small lavender, white, or pink flowers bloom throughout summer and support many pollinators. |
| Interest | Bright purple berries persist through winter if not eaten by wildlife. |
| Problems | Wild birds, raccoons, armadillos, opossums, squirrels, and foxes eat the berries. Deer graze on the foliage. |
See the video on American Beautyberry from North Carolina Sea Grant.
Sources: Missouri Botanical Garden, North Carolina State Extension, University of Florida, Clemson Cooperative Extension, Wikipedia.
What a beautiful plant. I have never heard of this one before. It would certainly add a great deal of beauty to any garden.