Genus Callicarpa (Beautyberry)

Callicarpa dichotoma Photo/Illustration: Melissa Buntin

kal-lee-KAR-pah Common Name: Beautyberry

The genus Callicarpa includes 140 species of shrubs and trees with dense flowerheads of many tiny flowers in white, pink, red, or purple in summer. After the flowers comes the main show: small but brightly colored round fruit that resembles shiny beads. Grow in a shrub border.
Noteworthy characteristics: Noted for their small but colorful jewel-like berries.
Care: Grow in sun or part shade. Fruit will be most abundant during long, hot summers and if the plants grow in groups.
Propagation: Root softwood cuttings in spring, or semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer.
Problems: Scale, mildew, dieback , leaf scorch, and fungal leaf spot.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Callicarpa

Callicarpa americana
(American beautyberry) (1 user review)

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Although it produces small, lavender-pink flowers in spring, this plant is known mainly for its violet to magenta berries, which start appearing in October. The berries, massed in tight bunches that encircle the branches, are vivid against deep-green leaves.

Callicarpa dichotoma
(Purple beautyberry) Be the first to rate this plant

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Grown for its rows of lilac-violet, round, glossy, tiny fruit, purple beautyberry is a small, deciduous shrub native to China, Korea, and Japan. Its long, arching branches often touch the ground, giving it an elegant shape. The small pink flowers in summer are followed by the small fruits that ripen in September and last through October. It has good yellow fall color as well.

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