Discover the American Beautyberry: A Vibrant Shrub for Wildlife Gardens
The American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is a captivating native shrub. It is celebrated for its clusters of brilliant purple berries in the fall. This provides a spectacular display. Belonging to the mint family, this plant thrives in the central and southeastern United States. Its arching stems and lush green leaves attract attention throughout the growing season. Indeed, this shrub produces beautiful fruit. This fruit serves as a vital food source for numerous songbirds and small mammals. Furthermore, its leaves offer a natural mosquito repellent when crushed. As a result of its adaptability, it prefers sunny to partially shady locations. It also grows well in various soil types with good drainage. Therefore, for those looking to enhance wildlife habitats and enjoy striking fall beauty, the American Beautyberry is an excellent choice.
Sizes Available
Wholesale Only
1 Gallon
$4.00
3 Gallon
$8.00
A vibrant display of the American Beautyberry’s characteristic bright purple berries, a feast for the eyes and a crucial food source for local wildlife in the autumn.
Scientific Name: Callicarpa americana
Common Name: American Beautyberry, American Mulberry, Beautyberry, French Mulberry, Sour-bush
Hardiness Zones: 6a through 10b
Height: 3 to 8 feet
Spread: 3 to 6 feet
Growth Rate: Medium
Foliage: Spring and summer see the emergence of green, ovate to elliptical leaves. These are arranged oppositely on arching stems. The foliage offers a lush appearance during the warmer months. In the fall, the leaves turn an unspectacular pale chartreuse before dropping.
Bark: The bark is light brown on older wood. Younger stems display a reddish-brown hue. Moreover, the bark is smooth but features noticeable corky ridges.
Sun: Full sun to part shade is preferred. However, deep shade is not tolerated.
Soil: This shrub grows in all types of soil, provided good drainage is present. Specifically, it adapts to clay, loam, sand, and soils with high organic matter.
Wildlife Value: This shrub offers significant benefits to wildlife. For example, its clusters of berries are a favored food source for many songbirds. Small mammals also consume these berries. In addition, White-tailed deer are known to browse the leaves and enjoy the fruits.
Why Choose Beautyberry?
Stunning Fall Display of Purple Berries:
The American Beautyberry is primarily chosen for its incredibly showy clusters. These bright purple to bluish berries encircle the stems in the fall. Consequently, a visually stunning spectacle is created in the landscape. Moreover, these fruits often persist into early winter. This extends their appealing presence.
Attracts a Variety of Birds and Wildlife:
Gardeners looking to support local ecosystems will appreciate this native shrub. It serves as a significant food source for numerous songbird species. Small mammals also benefit from this plant. Thus, it is a valuable addition to wildlife gardens.
Natural Mosquito Repellent:
An added benefit of the American Beautyberry is its leaves. When crushed, these leaves release compounds. These compounds are known to repel mosquitoes, ticks, and fire ants. This offers a natural pest control solution for your outdoor spaces.
Adaptable and Relatively Low Maintenance:
This shrub thrives in a range of soil conditions with good drainage. It also prefers sunny to partially shady locations. Therefore, the American Beautyberry is a relatively low-maintenance shrub. It can be easily incorporated into various garden settings, including mass plantings and naturalized areas.
Environmental Benefits of Planting Beautyberry
This data is based on US Averages of healthy and mature trees over a 20-year period.
Check out the USDA’s MyTree Tool to input your custom location data.
CO2 Offset
A single beautyberry can offset the CO₂ emissions produced by driving an average gas-powered car for 12,126 miles.
Water Filtration
A single beautyberry can absorb enough stormwater to fill 128 bathtubs, reducing erosion, runoff, and supporting transpiration.
Removes Air Pollution
A single beautyberry removes as much air pollution as the weight of 13 smartphones.
Featured Projects
Central Florida Lands and Timber Nursery, LLC. is a wholesale nursery specializing in a wide array of Florida native trees. With an inventory of over 2 million container-grown trees, CFLTN, LCC can meet the needs of large-scale reforestation, mitigation, and landscaping projects throughout the Southeast region.
Phone
(386) 294-1211
Address
3087 North County Road 53 Mayo, Florida 32066