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November’s Beautyberry
Written By: Jeannie Chambers - The Accidental Gardener | Issue: 2018/11 - November
Oh, Beautyberry, where have you been all of my life?
Callicarpa is a captivating deciduous bush grown best in zones 5-8, and although there are different genus in the large family of Lamiaceae (AKA mint or dead nettle family), the Callicarpa Americana, or the American Beautyberry is native to the southeastern US.
There’s nothing special about its smallish leaves, but come June, a pretty pinkish-white flower appears and stays around until mid-to-late August when the berries appear. The berries are the star of the show for this plant, and to this purpleologist, almost seem magical.
After the leaves turn yellow and drop off, the berries stick around for a long encore until December. Although birds eat the berries, they either seem to know they’ll be around for dessert, or they leave them until all the other fruits are gone so the humans can enjoy their purpleness a little longer. Even the stems of this bush are attractive and hold a burgundy wine color.
These are very low maintenance plants great for a woodland landscape and are believed to be deer tolerant. There are many uses for this plant, from using the berry-laden stems in floral arrangements, harvesting the berries to make Beautyberry jelly, to being used as mosquito repellent. The chemical compound, Callicarpenal was patented by the USDA to be used commercially in mosquito repellent, but long before that, old-timers would crush the leaves or place stems with leaves under a horse’s harness to keep the deer flies and mosquitoes away. With the threat of the Zika virus, maybe these plants should be in everyone’s landscape.
If you cut the stems way back in late Fall to use in winter arrangements, you’re actually helping the plant have more abundant berries the next season. The gift that keeps on giving.
When I first heard of this plant, I had to have one, and wouldn’t you know it? They’re available at local nurseries. I found mine at Main Street Nursery. It’s time to spread some purple love.
