Callicarpa americana

Callicarpa Americana, commonly called beautyberry, American beautyberry, or French mulberry, is a deciduous shrub native to forest edges, moist slopes, bluff tops, woodland openings, swamp margins, and fence rows in the southeastern United States, northern Mexico, Bermuda, Cuba, the Bahamas and other islands in the West Indies. Mature plants will reach around 3-5' tall with a similar spread. They have an open growth habit and arching branches. The oppositely arranged, ovate to elliptic foliage has serrated margins ranging from 2-9" long to 0.75-5" wide.

The small, light pink to purple or blue-tinged flowers bloom in dense, axillary clusters and develop bright, violet to magenta (rarely white) fruits. The fruits are showy and persistent, ripening around mid-fall, and are eaten by birds, squirrels, and other wildlife.

Best grown in evenly moist, well-draining, sandy, or clayey soils with plenty of organic matter. It can be grown in nearly any soil type if drainage is adequate. Tolerant of some drought once established. Plants may defoliate, and fruiting performance may be poor during prolonged periods of hot summer drought. The best fruiting is in full sun, but plants will tolerate light shade. Hardy in Zones 6-12. In the colder end of its hardiness range, this shrub may experience dieback in harsh winters or if planted in an exposed site, but it will resprout readily from the base, and fruiting should not be affected. Prune in winter to encourage more bushy, compact growth. Plants can be cut as far back as 1' from the base or around 2' less than the desired size. Plants can also be left to take on a more natural form, but deadwood should be removed in spring—Propagate from cuttings or seed.