Purple Beautyberry is an Asian shrub grown in U.S. gardens that has escaped into parts of the eastern United States. In fall, tight clusters of violet fruit line its arching stems.
Appearance
Growth form
It is a rounded shrub, usually 2–4 ft (0.6–1.2 m) tall, with long, slender stems that arch toward the ground.
Leaves
The opposite green leaves are 1–3 in (2.5–7.5 cm) long and turn yellow in fall.
Flowers
Small pale pink to lavender flowers form clusters along the stems where leaves join them.
Flowering time
In North Carolina gardens, small flowers appear from late spring into summer.
Fruit
Small lilac-violet fruits ripen in September and are usually showiest through October.
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), native to the central and southeastern United States, usually grows taller and has larger leaves. Purple Beautyberry is lower, with smaller leaves set closer together along its arching stems.
Why they get mixed up · Both shrubs have opposite leaves and vivid purple fruit in fall.
Japanese Beautyberry is usually larger and its fruit clusters tend to look looser. Purple Beautyberry is smaller and usually has denser clusters, but close photographs may still be hard to separate.
Why they get mixed up · Both Asian beautyberries are grown in U.S. gardens.
Where it lives
Typical habitats
garden borders
open woodland edges
moist, well-drained sites
Range
It is native from China and Korea through Japan and Vietnam. It has been introduced in several eastern U.S. states, including Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.
Preferred conditions
It grows in full sun to part shade in moderately moist, well-drained soil. Full sun usually gives the best flowering and fruit display.
Seasons
In North Carolina
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Fruit
Fruit Sep–Oct
Growing it
Care
It grows in 5–8. Flowers form on , so gardeners often prune it in late winter or early spring.
Propagation
It can be propagated from seed or stem cuttings.
Name and classification
Varieties and forms
Garden selections can have white or purple fruit or leaves with patches of different colors.