The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Beautyberry(Callicarpa americana) is adeciduous shrubfound naturally in the southeastern United States.
Enjoyed mainly by wildlife, humans can also consume beautyberries, best served as a jelly.
They naturally grow on the edges of wooded areas where the amount of sunlight they get can vary.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
More sunlight will result in higher berry production.
However, more sunlight will also increase the shrub’s need for water.
And they prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
This mimics the forest floor where they naturally grow.
However, they can tolerate most soil types, including clay soil, except for soil severely lacking nutrients.
Water
These plants like moist soil, but they can endure somewhat dry conditions.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Roughly 1 inch per week of water is ideal.
They have good heat tolerance as long as their moisture needs are met.
Fertilizer
These shrubs generally do not need fertilizer unless you have very nutrient-poor soil.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
A shovelful or two of compost in the spring can benefit beautyberry’s growth.
However, too much fertilizer can result in decreased berry production.
Non-native varieties likeCallicarpadichotoma, native to Asia, are considered invasive in Alabama.
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The berries may last throughout the winter, bringing bright color to your garden.
you’re free to also propagate the shrub from cuttings in late spring or early summer.
This is an inexpensive and easy way to make more of a shrub variety that you particularly like.
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To increase your chances of germination, start with a generous amount of seeds.
Potting and Repotting Beautyberry
Beautyberry is a shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall.
It can grow in a container but grows best in the ground.
When growing it in a container, plant it in a large, heavy container with ample drainage holes.
At the minimum, grow it in an 18-inch diameter container at least 18 inches deep.
Plant it in an enriched potting soil with compost or organic matter.
If transplanting from a seedling pot, ensure it has moist soil.
Firmly press in the soil to remove air pockets.
Prune in winter to keep size manageable.
It should never need repotting.
For zones colder than USDA zone 6, bring the plant inside to overwinter.
The flowers come in shades of purple, pink, and white.
Insufficient sunlight is often the culprit if your beautyberry isn’t blooming.
The shrub also might not be getting enough water.
They also do not commonly suffer from pests or diseases.
Leaves Turning Brown
In the fall, beautyberry foliage usually turns a golden yellow.
However, frost can cause the leaves to go straight from green to brown before they drop for winter.
However, the foliage should come back healthy in the spring.
Beautyberries are edible, but they are not very tasty when consumed raw.
Made into a jelly, beautyberry tastes similar to grape or elderberry jelly.
Beautyberry can be planted or cut indoors and nurtured to prepare for planting.
“Beautyberry leaf extract restores drug’s power to fight ‘superbug.'”
“American beauty combats mosquitoes.”
