The beautyberry plant, belonging to the *Callicarpa* genus, is a deciduous shrub renowned for its striking clusters of vibrant berries that appear in fall and persist into winter. These berries, typically in shades of purple, lavender, or white, are arranged in tight clusters along the stems, creating a dramatic visual impact. Beautyberries are native to various regions, including North America, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, and are prized for their ornamental value in gardens and landscapes.
In addition to their berries, beautyberry plants feature small, pale pink or lavender flowers that bloom in summer, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. The foliage is typically green, turning yellow or reddish in autumn, adding seasonal interest. These shrubs are relatively low-maintenance, thriving in a range of soil types and light conditions, from full sun to partial shade, making them versatile for different garden settings.
Beautyberries are also valued for their ecological benefits, as their berries provide a food source for birds and other wildlife during the colder months. Some species, like the American beautyberry, have been studied for their potential medicinal properties, including mosquito-repelling compounds in their leaves. With their aesthetic appeal, adaptability, and wildlife-friendly qualities, beautyberry plants are a popular choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and functionality.
Beautyberry Bushes
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Native to the southeastern United States, the American beautyberry is one of the most well-known species. It grows to a height of 3 to 6 feet and produces clusters of small, lavender-pink flowers in summer, followed by striking purple-magenta berries in the fall. The berries are arranged in tight clusters along the stems, creating a dramatic display. This shrub thrives in partial shade to full sun and is highly adaptable to various soil types, making it a favorite for wildlife gardens, as birds and other animals are drawn to its berries.
Japanese Beautyberry (Callicarpa japonica)
Originating from East Asia, the Japanese beautyberry is slightly smaller than its American counterpart, typically reaching 3 to 5 feet in height. It features delicate, arching branches and pale pink flowers that bloom in midsummer. The berries are a vivid violet-purple and appear in dense clusters, offering a striking contrast against the shrub’s green foliage. This species prefers well-drained soil and partial shade, making it an excellent choice for shaded garden corners or woodland settings.
Chinese Beautyberry (Callicarpa bodinieri)
The Chinese beautyberry is a robust and hardy shrub, growing up to 6 feet tall with a similar spread. It is known for its long-lasting, metallic-purple berries that remain on the plant well into winter, providing visual interest even after the leaves have fallen. The flowers are small and pale pink, blooming in late summer. This species is particularly cold-hardy and thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it a versatile option for temperate climates.
Purple Beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma)
Also known as the purple beautyberry, this species is native to China, Korea, and Japan. It is a smaller shrub, typically growing 3 to 4 feet tall, with a graceful, arching habit. Its berries are a deep violet-purple and are borne in loose clusters, giving the plant a more delicate appearance compared to other beautyberries. The purple beautyberry prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade, and its compact size makes it ideal for smaller gardens or container planting.
White Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana ‘Lactea’)
A unique cultivar of the American beautyberry, the white beautyberry stands out with its creamy-white berries, offering a softer, more understated aesthetic compared to the vibrant purple of other varieties. The shrub grows to a similar size as the species, around 3 to 6 feet, and produces small pink flowers in summer. This variety is perfect for adding a touch of elegance to gardens and pairs beautifully with other colorful shrubs or perennials. It thrives in similar conditions as the American beautyberry, preferring partial shade and moist soil.
Profusion Beautyberry (Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’)
A popular cultivar of the Chinese beautyberry, ‘Profusion’ is celebrated for its prolific berry production. The berries are a rich, glossy purple and appear in abundance along the stems, creating a bold, eye-catching display. This shrub grows to about 5 feet tall and wide, with a rounded, bushy habit. It is highly cold-hardy and adaptable, thriving in full sun to partial shade. ‘Profusion’ is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, high-impact plant.
Early Amethyst Beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Early Amethyst’)
This cultivar of the purple beautyberry is prized for its early berry production, with vibrant amethyst-purple berries appearing earlier in the season than other varieties. It grows to a compact size, typically 3 to 4 feet tall, making it perfect for smaller spaces or as a border plant. The foliage is a bright green, turning yellow in the fall, which complements the striking berries. ‘Early Amethyst’ prefers partial shade and well-drained soil, and its early fruiting habit adds seasonal interest to gardens.
Issai Beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Issai’)
Another cultivar of the purple beautyberry, ‘Issai’ is a compact, dwarf variety that grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. It produces an abundance of bright purple berries in late summer to fall, making it a standout in small gardens, containers, or as a low hedge. The flowers are small and pink, blooming in midsummer, and the foliage turns a golden-yellow in autumn. ‘Issai’ is easy to grow, thrives in partial shade, and is a great choice for gardeners looking for a smaller, more manageable beautyberry.
Korean Beautyberry (*Callicarpa kwangtungensis*)
Native to Korea and parts of China, the Korean beautyberry is a lesser-known species that deserves more attention. It grows to a height of 4 to 6 feet and features slender, arching branches adorned with small pink flowers in summer. The berries are a deep violet-purple, appearing in tight clusters along the stems in fall. This species is particularly noted for its cold hardiness and ability to thrive in cooler climates. It prefers partial shade and well-drained soil, making it a great choice for woodland gardens or shaded borders.
Velvet Beautyberry (*Callicarpa pedunculata*)
The velvet beautyberry, native to Southeast Asia, is named for the velvety texture of its leaves and young stems. This shrub grows to about 5 to 7 feet tall and produces clusters of small, pale pink flowers in late summer. The berries are a striking metallic-purple, often with a slightly fuzzy appearance, adding a unique texture to the plant. It thrives in warm, humid climates and prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. The velvet beautyberry is ideal for tropical or subtropical gardens where its lush foliage and berries can shine.
Pearl Glam Beautyberry (*Callicarpa ‘Pearl Glam’*)
A modern hybrid, ‘Pearl Glam’ is a compact beautyberry cultivar that grows to about 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. It is prized for its unique berry color—a soft, pearly lavender that transitions to a deeper purple as the season progresses. The foliage emerges with a reddish-purple tint in spring, turning green in summer and yellow in fall, providing multi-season interest. ‘Pearl Glam’ is perfect for small gardens, containers, or mixed borders and thrives in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil.
Magical Snow Queen Beautyberry (*Callicarpa ‘Magical Snow Queen’*)
This cultivar is a standout for its creamy-white berries, which resemble tiny snowballs clustered along the stems. Growing to about 4 to 5 feet tall, ‘Magical Snow Queen’ has a bushy, upright habit and produces small pink flowers in summer. The white berries are particularly striking against the shrub’s green foliage, which turns golden in fall. This variety prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, making it an elegant choice for gardens seeking a softer, more refined look.
Long-Arching Beautyberry (*Callicarpa longissima*)
Native to China and Taiwan, the long-arching beautyberry is named for its gracefully arching branches, which can reach lengths of 6 to 8 feet. The shrub produces small, pale pink flowers in summer, followed by clusters of bright purple berries in fall. Its elongated, willow-like leaves add a delicate, airy quality to the plant, making it a striking focal point in larger gardens. This species prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, and its arching habit makes it ideal for naturalistic or informal garden designs.
Duet Beautyberry (*Callicarpa ‘Duet’*)
‘Duet’ is a hybrid beautyberry known for its striking variegated foliage, which features creamy-white margins against a green center. Growing to about 4 to 6 feet tall, this cultivar produces small pink flowers in summer and vibrant purple berries in fall. The combination of variegated leaves and bold berries creates a dramatic visual effect, making ‘Duet’ a standout in mixed borders or as a specimen plant. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil, adding year-round interest with its unique foliage.
Magical Moonlight Beautyberry (*Callicarpa ‘Magical Moonlight’*)
Another member of the ‘Magical’ series, ‘Magical Moonlight’ is a compact shrub growing to about 3 to 4 feet tall. It features small pink flowers in summer and produces clusters of bright, glossy purple berries in fall. The foliage is a soft green, turning yellow in autumn, which complements the vibrant berries. This variety is highly adaptable, thriving in full sun to partial shade, and is perfect for small gardens, containers, or as a low hedge. Its compact size and prolific berry production make it a favorite for modern landscapes.
Taiwan Beautyberry (*Callicarpa formosana*)
Native to Taiwan and parts of Southeast Asia, the Taiwan beautyberry is a tropical species that grows to about 5 to 7 feet tall. It features large, glossy green leaves and produces small, pale pink flowers in summer, followed by clusters of deep purple berries in fall. This species thrives in warm, humid climates and prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Its lush foliage and tropical appearance make it a striking addition to gardens in warmer regions, where it can add a touch of exotic beauty.