



Callicarpa americana - beautyberry
DESCRIPTION
beautyberry
Callicarpa americana
A standout in any naturalistic landscape, American beautyberry is a graceful, deciduous shrub that brings year-round interest to gardens and woodland settings. Its arching branches support soft green foliage throughout the growing season, giving it an airy, informal appearance. But it’s in the fall that this native stunner truly shines—its branches become adorned with eye-catching clusters of vibrant violet berries that persist well into winter, providing essential food for birds, squirrels, and other wildlife.
Beyond its ornamental appeal, beautyberry is a powerhouse for pollinators. Its delicate pinkish-purple summer flowers attract a variety of bees and butterflies, making it a valuable addition to pollinator-friendly landscapes. Whether used as a naturalized screen, a border accent, or a wildlife-friendly feature, Callicarpa americana is a resilient and rewarding choice for gardeners looking to support local ecosystems while adding striking seasonal color to their space.
BENEFITS
- Its loose habit makes for great naturalizing along the woodland edge
- Pale lavender pink flowers become clusters of green fruits that ripen to purple
- Birds, squirrels, and other wildlife enjoy the fruits in fall
- Easy to grow, disease and pest-free
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Info coming soon.
Map Credit: The Biota of North America
INTERESTING FACTS
GROWING TIPS
Beautyberry thrives in part shade to full sun and is well-suited to woodland edges, swamp margins, and understory plantings. While naturally loose in form, it can be pruned back in winter to encourage a more compact habit and increased berry production. Drought-tolerant once established, it may shed leaves or fruit during prolonged dry spells but quickly rebounds when conditions improve. Plants are said to bear more fruit if several are planted together.
Mature Size: 3-6'T x 3-6'W
Hardiness Zone: 6-12
Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
American Beauties Offer Solution Based Plant Collections to Help you Choose
Quick Tips for Choosing Plants:
- Planting a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennials and vines increases biodiversity and gives wildlife a source for food, cover and nesting
- Choose a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees so birds and other wildlife will always be able to find shelter
- Plant trees and large shrubs where they will block winter winds from the house and shade it in summer, that will save energy and lower your carbon footprint
- Try your best to buy plants that were grown locally, your independent garden center will be your best bet
- Think about ultimate height and width of the plant you choose, make sure it will fit the space you have for it when it's reached maturity
- Plant nectar plants in groups, to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects more easily
- Ask for help if you need it. Most garden centers either have a landscape designer on staff or they can give you a reference of a designer that is adept at native plant wildlife gardening. There will be upfront costs but they are small when compared to having to redo a landscape that wasn't what you really wanted
Our Plant Tags Hold the Secrets to Success
Choosing the right plants for your garden can seem like a daunting task but we’re here to help. Our horticulturists have spent a considerable amount of time researching and writing our beautiful, American Beauties plant tags to help you be successful. First of all, when you see an American Beauties branded pot at your garden center you can be confident that the plant is native to your area and a responsible choice.
When you look at our tag you’ll find information about the plants natural habitat. That will give you a clue to how it will work in your backyard. For instance if the plant is naturally founded and moist, shade and you have full sun, it’s not the plant for you. The “Features” section gives you an overview or plant description so you’ll know what to expect. While the “Benefits” section talks about the plants strong suits and how the plant will benefit wildlife.
A Special Note About Exposure
Full sun: Prefers six or more hours of direct sunshine a day
Partial shade: Thrives in three to six hours of daily sunshine
Shade: Generally does well with less than three hours of sun per day. Having said that even shade loving plants will struggle in extremely deep shade.
DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
Best Plants for Bees - Double sided printout for download
Best Plants for Butterflies - Double sided printout for download