Photo by Joanne Taylor - White beautyberry (c. Americana var. lactea) or (albafructus)
Beautyberry, commonly known as American Beautyberry or Callicarpa, is a gorgeous deciduous shrub that produces shiny and metallic-looking purple berries. It’s a definite show-stopper for all who cross its path. These royal purple berries are formed in dense clusters along each cascading stem. Most of the berries will stay put during the winter because the wildlife aren’t too fond of the taste, although the squirrels and birds snack on them if other food is scarce.
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Photography by Joanne Taylor - Cut a few stems, strip the leaves, and decorate!
The callicarpa, also known as French mulberry, produces white berries and it’s called Beautyberry (c. Americana var. lactea) or (albafructus). This shrub is a cascading and beautiful addition to the fall and winter landscape because it adds bold and rare color for fall and winter. Plant in a viewing area from inside the house, or add as a foundation planting for all to admire.
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Photography by Joanne Taylor - This deciduous shrub is definately a showstopper
There are quite a few wonderful shrubs with berries to use for decorating indoors naturally, but nothing quite like beautyberry. Cut a few stems, strip the leaves and add the berried stalks to a dry flower arrangement or use to decorate for the holidays. Although some say American beautyberry is poisonous; it’s not. They can be eaten, but they are bitter. Many people make jelly from beautyberry. The gardener can prune callicarpa as low as 4-6 inches from the ground in the spring, and they’ll grow back full and lush in the fall producing berry beautiful berries. This one is a must have in the landscape.
Beautyberry are very easy to grow and drought tolerant and have no serious pest or disease issues. They prefer full sun but can grow in partial shade beautifully. They need average, well-drained soil. Once they’re established, they can grow from 4 to 9 feet tall and can grow to 4-5 feet wide with arching branches that bear uninteresting pink flowers in the summer that will mature into the coveted signature berries in the fall.
More beautiful berries:
Other berries in the landscape:
Cranberries in the landscape
Decorating with berries and nature's goodies:
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