Download American Beautyberry

American Beautyberry
Many of the very showy plants in our gardens
come from all over the world, but many that are
equally as showy come from right here in America--right here in Texas even. This American
Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) with its little
clusters of bright purple berries up and down the
stem is a star in my garden. All of my life, it has
been a favorite. I remember it being one of the
first plants to catch my eye as a very small
child. My Dad told me it was called Spanish
mulberry but better known as ‘coon grapes’ in our
neck of the woods. Coons and other wildlife do
love the berries.
Beautyberries grow rampantly here in East Texas. People from other countries always notice
them. Isn’t it funny how people are the same everywhere---we want what’s in Europe or Japan and they
want what’s here. If you don’t have one, hold your breath a second or two and a bird will plant one for
you. I allow several to grow in strategic areas of my yard, where I want fall color. I love the bright
purple berries with the bright yellow color of their leaves in fall. Have you ever seen a Beautyberry that
is bright yellow with its brilliant purple berries? Absolutely stunning! I have tried cutting the berries to
bring in for arrangements with no success. They shed once they’re cut. Such a shame as they would win
a prize in a fall arrangement.
I like to cut my bushes to the ground every year once they shed the leaves and the berries are
gone. That way when they come out new, they will be much more compact, if you can call a 4-6 ft. bush
compact. If you let them alone, they will grow huge and get raggedy. I doubt you can buy Beautyberry
anywhere but native plant nurseries, but don’t despair----the birds will plant one for you!