Callicarpa americana

Common Names

American Beautyberry, Purple Beauty-Berry, French Mulberry, Sourbush, Bunchberry

Summary

Callicarpa americana, commonly called American beautyberry, is a native deciduous shrub of the southeastern United States with a loose, arching habit and outward-facing branches. It typically grows 3–6 feet tall and wide, producing lavender-pink flowers on new growth from June to August and bright magenta-purple berries that encircle the stems and persist into fall and winter, creating a striking autumn display for wildlife.

It tolerates full sun to partial shade and a range of well-drained soils, from moist loams to sands or clays, with drought tolerance once established. Hardy in USDA zones 6–10, it suits borders, mass plantings, containers, and wildlife-friendly landscapes; propagation is possible by seed or cuttings, and maintenance is relatively low with pruning used to maintain shape and encourage fruit production.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-6 feet

Spread

48-72 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun; tolerates Partial Shade to Full Sun.

Soil Type

Well-drained, fertile soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.0-8.0, wide pH tolerance

Bloom Color

Pink

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds, attracts bees and butterflies