Eye-Popping Purple Berry Clusters

Callicarpa
Commonly called Beautyberry, this deciduous shrub is prized for its stunning fall fruit that encircles arching stems. The display is even more riveting after the foliage drops. Callicarpa americana is native to the Southeastern United States. Small pollinator-friendly pink flowers appear in summer that then transform to brilliant violet or magenta berries. It typically ranges in height from 3’ to 6’ in Zones 6 – 10. Callicarpa dichotoma is more cold tolerant (Zones 5 – 8) than C. americana. Slightly more compact (2’ – 5’ tall), C. dichotoma won the Gold Medal Award from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society as well as the GreatPlants award from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. It has small summer flowers that are also attractive to bees and butterflies. C. dichotoma is native to China, Japan and Korea. Both species set their flower buds on new wood, so if needed, they can be pruned in late winter or early spring. They grow in full sun to part shade, but set the most fruit in full sun. Beautyberry has been used as a mosquito repellant for decades in the South..