Callicarpa americana
How, I ask you, HOW can you not immediately fall in love with a plant called “American beautyberry”? Our beloved nation, attractiveness, juicy bits of deliciousness . . . it just makes the heart swell. Here, take a Kleenex.
The emotive lexicon is well deserved. This large, deciduous shrub is truly beautiful, with long, arching branches bearing large, light green leaves, and clusters of little flowers that morph into green and then brilliant purple berries containing 3-4 seeds each.
The juicy berries are a source of food for more than 40 species of songbirds, including the American (but of course) robin, mockingbirds, woodpeckers and finches. Armadillos, foxes, opossum, squirrels, and raccoons like the berries, too. When desperately hungry, deer will eat the leaves of the plant and they’ll eat the berries after they’ve dropped.
Humans can eat the berries, too; they’re said to have a medicinal flavor when eaten raw. They can also be made into jam. Some people have reported upset stomach after eating the berries, however, so it might be best to try just a few before eating a big ol’ slice of beautyberry pie.
If animals and people don’t eat them all, the berries will persist well into winter, even after the leaves have all fallen.
Incidentally, while we’ve made a big deal about the Americanness of this plant that’s native to the southeastern United States, somehow, SOMEHOW, it’s also been saddled with the nickname “French mulberry.” Puhlease.
What You’ll Learn
American beautyberry is appreciated for its fall interest — bright yellow leaves and, of course, the lovely bb-sized purple berries.
Cultivation and History
Native American tribes used the roots, leaves, and branches to treat malarial fevers and rheumatism. The roots were used to treat dizziness, stomachaches and dysentery. Roots and berries were boiled and drunk to treat colic.
In the early 1900s, farmers crushed the leaves and placed them under the harnesses of horses to repel mosquitoes. They also rubbed the crushed leaves on their skin to repel mosquitoes and other biting bugs.
Propagation
From Seed
If growing from seed, soak the seeds in clean, cool water for 24 hours.
Sow seeds 1/16-inch deep in small pots or seedling trays filled with seed-starter potting mix. Place trays or pots in a warm, sunny area.
Keep the soil lightly moist via a spray-bottle mister until the seedlings are transplant size, about three months after sowing.
This plant also liberally reseeds itself.
From Cuttings
You can propagate beautyberry from softwood cuttings. Softwood is a stem that is not brand new nor old and woody.
Cut 4- to 6-inch stems from a healthy plant. Fill small pots with an all-purpose soil mix and insert and remove a pencil to create a hole for the cutting.
Remove the lower leaves from your cutting, dip the cleanly cut end into rooting hormone and place in the hole.
Create a mini greenhouse by placing a plastic dome or clear plastic bag over the pot or pots. Put it in bright, indirect light.
Read more about propagation techniques for this shrub here.
How to Grow
American beautyberry likes rich, organic soil, but it will tolerate less-delicious soils, as long as they are well-draining. Depending where you live and plant it, it may take full sun, though it will need lots of water. Here in Texas, it’s often used as an understory shrub, with dappled shade.
If you’re transplanting from a nursery container, dig a hole the the same depth as the root ball and a little wider. Place the root ball in the hole and backfill with native soil.
Water well.
Growing Tips
- Plant in rich soil if you can’t, but don’t sweat it if you can’t.
- Water well when young.
- No need to fertilize.
Pruning and Maintenance
In warmer areas, this shrub may be pruned back in late winter to about 2 feet less than the desired size.
Beautyberry is drought-tolerant once established, though it performs better with more hydration. And as we mentioned above, if you plant it in full sun, you’ll need to really dump the water on it.
This plant doesn’t require fertilization.
Where to Buy
If you’d like to buy a live plant, consider this one available via Amazon.
American BeautyBerry Bush Live Plant
You’ll get a small plant in a 3.5-inch square pot.
30 Seeds of Callicarpa Americana
If you prefer seeds, consider this packet of 30 seeds from IM WAODE via Amazon.
Managing Pests and Diseases
The only known beautyberry pests are the animals that enjoy the plant’s berries.
You may see minor leaf spots (Atractilina callicarpae) or black mold (Meliola cookeana), which can be treated with a fungicide.
Best Uses
This shrub looks spectacular in mass plantings, and it can be used in reclamation work and for erosion control.
It also makes a nice back-of-the-border plant.
Quick Reference Growing Guide
| Plant Type: | Woody shrub, deciduous | Flower / Foliage Color: | Light green leaves, lavender or pink flowers, purple berries |
| Native To: | Southeastern US as far north as Missouri | Tolerance: | Drought, shade, clay soil |
| Hardiness (USDA Zone): | 6-10 | Maintenance: | Minimal |
| Bloom Time / Season: | Blooms June-August; berries August-September | Soil Type: | Not picky |
| Exposure: | Sun to part shade | Soil pH: | 4.8-7.0 |
| Growth Rate: | Fast | Soil Drainage: | Well-drained |
| Spacing: | 5 feet | Companion Planting: | Black-eyed susan, columbine, muhly grass |
| Planting Depth: | Same depth as container | Uses: | Mass plantings, back of borders |
| Height: | 5-9 feet | Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Spread: | 5 feet | Genus: | Callicarpa |
| Water Needs: | Drought-tolerant but does better with regular watering, especially when young | Species: | C. americana |
| Attracts: | Birds and other wildlife | ||
| Pests & Diseases: | Black mold and leaf spots, damage from animals and birds. |
It’s Not FRENCH as Apple Pie
This large shrub with its long, arched, purple-berry-laden branches is a lovely piece of native American flora.
Sun or shade tolerate, not picky about soil, drought-tolerant — it’s a low-maintenance addition to the landscape.
Do you have American beautyberry in your garden? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
And to find more ornamental woody shrub choices for your backyard, be sure check out some of these guides:
- 19 Fragrant Flower and Shrub Favorites For Your Garden
- 13 of the Best Evergreen Shrubs for Your Garden
- The Best 15 Woody Shrubs for Fall Color
Photos by Gretchen Heber © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details.
About Gretchen Heber
A former garden editor for a daily newspaper in Austin, Texas, Gretchen Heber goes through entirely too many pruners and garden gloves in a year’s time. She’s never met a succulent she didn’t like and gets really irritated every 3-4 years when Austin actually has a freeze cold enough to kill them. To Gretchen, nothing is more rewarding than a quick dash to the garden to pluck herbs to season the evening meal. And it’s definitely time for a happy dance when she’s able to beat the squirrels to the peaches, figs, or loquats.
I have this is a very sunny spot in my garden in San Antonio and had to water it twice a day this summer to keep it alive. I think I’ll probably move it to a shadier spot in the next month or so. Thanks for this article…very helpful!
Hi Christine! I’m not too surprised. In our neck of the woods, these plants do better with some shade. And even in the shade, you’ll need to provide some supplemental water while the plant is young.
The 1st photo below “Where to buy”, is not of an American beautyberry, but of an exotic Callicarpa and/or exotic cultivar.
Thank you, Claude! We’ll check into this.
Thanks for letting us know, Claude! We’ve updated this article.
So, I planted about 25 seedlings that I purchased from my state environmental group. Only have sprouted the first year. Then about 30% are starting to come out this year. Plus, they seem to start new from the ground every year. In fact, only 3 are producing leaves from last year’s growth. The other 4 or 5 have new sprouts. During the first year, all of the ones that lived from the initial planting were fresh sprouts. I have other plants nearby that I purchased from the same agency. Other than watering them, it sounded like there was little to… Read more »
Hi Dan, I’m not sure if your plants are in or outdoors, but here’s a few general tips to help you. Seeds should be soaked for 24 hours prior to planting. Germinate seeds in fall to plant out in spring, and early summer for planting out in fall. Plant shallowly in pots or trays, just barely covering the seeds with sterile potting mix. Firm the soil lightly and water gently. Place in a cool, bright location (not lower than 45 degrees F) and transplant out when well established, in about 3 months time. These shrubs don’t usually require fertilizer, but… Read more »
In NJ, I have four beautyberry shrubs in west-facing planting beds, and while the deer browse them, they do not destroy them. The berries produce so many volunteers that they have become a nuisance. I have transplanted a couple of the volunteers, and they are turning into sturdy, happy shrubs in various locations and soil conditions. I came to this site looking for transplant and growing advice, because I want to transplant my originals to areas where the volunteers won’t be such a nuisance.
What is the best way to collect beauty berry seeds? I have a lot growing on my property in SE Texas but the berries disappear quickly thanks to birds and deer. Do I need to let the berries ripen completely on the plants?
Hi Janet, The seeds DO need to ripen completely before harvesting to be viable. To collect them, remove the seed from the fruit and either dry them for sowing later, or plant them right away. Hmm, as far as the birds go – how about putting paper bags over a couple of branches with berry clusters to protect them from the birds long enough to ripen? This may work for the deer, too – I’m not sure how persistent yours are. Otherwise we have a couple of articles about deer-proofing that might help. Get Them Deer Out of Here with… Read more »
I have hundreds on my property just east of San Antonio and have yet to have mosquitoes on my property.
Have never heard of them keeping mosquitoes away. We have quite a few of these in our nursery, and come to think of it, I don’t remember seeing any mosquitoes in the area under the tree line. This is good to know.
I have two calicarpa, had plenty of flowers but not one berry has appeared. Can you advise me please?
Do the leaves look healthy, Tony? Did you spray your plants with any types of chemicals? Changes in the weather (periods of drought, for example) can cause plants to fail to set fruit, as can inadequate fertilization if the flowers are not visited by pollinators. Chemical pesticides can also kill off beneficial insects. Since you already have two plants, that should be enough for cross-pollination if pollinating insects are present, but you might try planting other flowering plants that attract pollinators in the vicinity to boost your chances of berry production next year.