Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants
A comprehensive database of Tennessee native plants
Beautyberry
BeautyberryCallicarpa americanaFull to part sun; medium moisture level; will grow in a wide range of soils but prefers a moist clay or sand enriched with organic matter; tolerates a range of pH.3-6 feet height by 3-6 feet spread; blooms June to September; lavender pink flowers; bright magenta to violet berries in October.Growth Rate: FastMaintenance: Relatively disease and pest free. Flowers are produced on new growth so can be severely pruned right before growth begins in spring to control its size or refresh an older plant.Propagation: Seed germination code C(90). Easy from seed and roots easily from cuttings. Re-seeds readily.Native Region: Eastern half of the state and very lightly in western half.Loose, open shrub which is valued for its spectacular fruits. Fruits best in full sun. Berries are important food for many species of birds and mammals which tend to eat them later in the fall or winter. Attracts butterflies.shrub;sun;medium;clay |
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Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants 
Apparently it is not uncommon for this shrub to die back to the ground in a colder winter. This past winter (2013-2014) my 3 shrubs all died to the ground. I kept waiting for them to leaf out and couldn’t figure out why they were so slow. Then I saw the new growth at the base. So after a cold winter, just expect to cut the dead branches back close to the ground and you should be ready for to start off the growing season with some rapid new growth.
Planted a Beautyberry last year after visiting a native plant nursery in east TN. With the cold winter we have had this year I am glad to have found this site for great information. I may have to cut back my plant in spring, but good to know I should see some rapid new growth!
I planted one of these in October, and even with the remaining berries on the bush, the birds in my yard loved them. Hoping that they’ll get a full bloom this year.