Plant of the Week - Purple Beautyberry

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The small pinkish flowers caught my eye the other day as I was walking through the garden. While not overly showy, and maybe not even noticed by many, the fruit to follow with be breath taking. The flowers remind of the "beauty" of the berries, just around the corner. 

 

Summer flowers of Purple Beautyberry
Photo Credit: Amy Stone, OSU Extension - Lucas County

 

Purple beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma), is described by Michael Dirr as the most graceful and refined of the species.  Some cultivars include: 'Early Amethyst', 'Issai', and 'Duet'. 

 

The oppositely arranged leaves act as a staging area for the purple fruits to come. The berries line the arching stems and are interesting, beginning late summer through fall.  

 

Arching Branches With Fruit of Beautyberry
Photo Credit: Amy Stone, OSU Extension - Lucas County

 

 

Beautyberry Fruits
Photo Credit: Amy Stone, OSU Extension - Lucas County

 

Purple beautyberry can be planted in full sun to part-shade. I have observed it planted in masses, in a mixed garden, and as a hedge row - with my favorite being a serpentine hedge as the summer and fall "bones" of a perennial garden. It can be a little late to get going in the spring. In fact, we can see some branch dieback after a cold winter when temperatures bottom out. If this is the case, cutting the shrub down to the base is recommended and new growth will begin.