Callicarpa americana 
(American Beautyberry)

origin:  Native to south-eastern USA
Family:  Verbenaceae
Light:  Sun-part shade
Height:  4-6'
Spacing:  4-6'
Blooms:  Pale pink, mid-Spring
Foliage:  Showy, deciduous, serrated, coarse
Fruit:  Magenta, clusters, round, small berries
Soil:  Well-drained, acidic, neutral
Water:  Regular
Uses:  Landscaping, specimen, small shrub, foliage, container, bonsai, background, butterfly garden, bird garden, hedge
Propagation:  Semi-hardwood stem cuttings

Comments:  Callicarpa americana or American Beautyberry is a herbaceous shrub with a fast growth habit.  It is a native of southeastern USA.  Callicarpa american has lovely yellow-green, coarse foliage with serrated margins.  In mid-Spring it produces abundant clusters of small pale pink flowers, followed by clusters of showy round, glossy fuschia berries.  Butterflies and bees are magnetized by the nectar-rich flowers while birds especially Mockingbirds enjoy feasting on the fruits.  American Beautyberry is easily propagated from the seeds or semi-hardwood cuttings.  It thrives best in well-drained, acidic to neutral soil in a sunny to part shade environment.  Callicarpa americana is a self-seeder and its fast growth soon forms a nice thicket.  Prune in early Spring for a more rounded growth and to promote abundant blooms and fruits.  Mass plant American Beautyberry for an awesome looking hedge.  Use it as a delightful specimen.  Callicarpa americana provides Fall and Winter interest.  Its captivating fruits look ornamental hanging on bare branches in Winter provides a lot of curiosity from passerby...quite a spectacle! American Beautyberry is a very useful shrub.  It provides shelter for migratory birds.  The ripe fruits made a delicious jam.  In older days, the crushed leaves were used by formers to ward of horseflies and mosquitoes on the livestocks.  

USDA Zones:  6-10

JennysGarden.com...Plant images and gardening descriptions of Callicarpa americana  (American Beautyberry) growing in Jenny's Garden

Image of butterfly and bird attractor, Callicarpa americana or American Beautyberry

Seeds/plant inquiries:  jen@JennysGarden.com