Common Name: Beautyberry
Scientific Name: Callicarpa americana
Type of Plant: Shrub
Description: If you’re looking for a dazzling plant to attract birds to your yard, look no further than beautyberry. Its bright purple fruits are some of the most striking around. Beautyberry, also called American mulberry, is native to flatwoods and hammocks but thanks to birds it has spread near and far. Beautyberry is a sprawling, small shrub that works well in borders or as a specimen plant. The branches form long arches that bend toward the ground.
Mature Size: 3-8′ tall x 4-8′ wide.
Blooms: Spring-Summer
Fruit: Showy clusters of shiny purple fruits that are densely packed and encircle the woody stems
Climate Requirements: American beautyberry is relatively maintenance free and grows easily in full sun or light, dappled shade on a variety of soils
Care Requirements: Old wood should be pruned heavily in late fall to early spring since flowers and fruit are produced on new growth.
Spacing: Space plants 36-60″ apart
Water Needs: Moderately drought tolerant once established
Maintenance: Low
Attracts: Birds, Deer
Special Uses/Attributes: Its ease of maintenance and popularity with birds makes American beautyberry especially useful for the naturalized garden where it blends in well with pines, oaks, and darker leaved shrubs. Appearing best when massed together, American beautyberry can also be used as a screen or specimen.
Florida Native: Yes
