NICE! Plant of the Month
(Callicarpa americana)
Image courtesy of USDA NRCS National PLANTS database.
Description:
American Beautyberry is a 3 to 7-foot-tall, deciduous shrub with graceful arching branches. It is quite showy in the fall when 2-inch bunches of bright purple berries cover the branches. The berries are very attractive to birds, but will remain on the plant through the winter if not eaten. The plant blooms May-July with small whitish to pale pink flowers. The leaves are light green with coarse serrations on the margin. They may turn slightly yellow in the fall, but are not the plant’s most attractive feature.
American Beautyberry occurs from Cuba north to Maryland, and west to Central Texas, including Bexar and Kendall Counties.
Deer Resistance:
Deer may nibble at this plant but it is not a preferred food.
Planting Sites:
This plant occurs naturally in moist woodland sites, so it should be planted in dappled to full shade under larger trees. Soil types may include sand, loam, clay, acid or calcareous, in either moist or well-drained sites. It prefers soil with some organic matter.
Planting Instructions:
Space plants 5-7 feet apart. Dig a hole at least 2 times wider than, but the same depth as the nursery container. Carefully remove plant from pot and gently loosen any compacted soil around the root ball. Plant at the same depth as the soil in the pot. Add some compost to the planting mix, and mulch after planting.
Watering Instructions:
This shrub survives on 20-30” of rainfall per year, thus it is moderately drought tolerant. Its leaves may droop when it needs water. If planting in spring: Water well immediately after planting, using root stimulator according to directions. Water deeply every 7-10 days to promote deep roots that will withstand drought. A watering may be skipped after a rainfall of ½ to 1 inch.
If planting in hot dry summer: May need more frequent watering at first.
First fall/winter:
Reduce water during fall and winter. In a “normal” year, watering in fall and winter may be unnecessary, but monthly watering may be needed during dry winters.
Second spring and thereafter:
Water monthly as needed.
Other care:
Does not like to be sheared or hedged. In winter, prune unwanted growth by removing whole branches back to the stem. Pruning will encourage more compact growth.
NICE! Tip:
American Beautyberry looks best when used in mixed plantings. It can be used in place of exotic shrubs such as Nandina, Mahonia, Hollies, Acuba, and Aralia.
Look for the NICE! Plant of the Month signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating Boerne nursery. And thank you for supporting native plants by using them in your landscapes.