American Beautyberry Plant Info

The American beautyberry is a deciduous shrub that produces purple berries in the fall and in winter. Though it grows mainly in the woodlands, it’s a fantastic addition to gardens because it makes an excellent food source for songbirds. The fruit is edible and you can cook and sweeten it to make jam or jellies.

Callicarpa americana
American Mulberry
French Mulberry
Sourbush
Purple Beautyberry
Alba
Lactea
Russell Montgomery
Welch’s Pink
Callicarpa americana var. purpurea
White or light pink flowers

Water

American beautyberry is drought tolerant once established but prefers moist soil

Sunlight

The plant prefers full sun to partial shade

Soil

The plant can tolerate all types of soil, as long as they are well-drained

Fertilizer

You can lightly apply a balanced fertilizer in spring

Pruning

Prune in late winter to remove old canes and encourage new growth

Propagation

Seeds
Stem cuttings

Thrives in

Open meadows, thickets, woodlands, and margins of ponds, ditches, and streams

Toxicity

Not toxic to humans or pets

Pests & Diseases

Leaf spot
Powdery mildew
Aphids
Scale insects
Caterpillars

Landscaping Ideas

Mass plantings to create a privacy screen
Pond margins
Containers
Wildlife garden
Pollinator garden
Winter garden
Woodland garden



Last Updated: August 3, 2023

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Author

Nonkululeko
Nonkululeko
I'm an enthusiastic gardener. I learned the art of growing my own food using sustainable gardening techniques from my father, which I still find effective for healthy plant growth. Gardening has become one of my best hobbies ever since I realized its benefits beyond growing my own food. Through experimenting and connecting with nature, I've found gardening to be a therapeutic and relaxing practice.