Summary
American beautyberry is an eye catching, 4-8’ tall multi-stemmed shrub, particularly for the autumn garden. Pale green foliage emerges in spring, followed by lavender-pink flowers in June. By autumn, the flowers mature into clusters of violet to magenta berry-like fruits. They encircle the stems and are produced in abundance, contrasting nicely against the chartreuse autumn foliage. Full sun and dry, acidic soils foster the best fruiting; however American beautyberry will tolerate filtered shade. This plant is best used in mass plantings, especially fronting evergreens such as Rhododendron maximum, but also companions well with Hydrangea quercifolia, Symphyotrichum oblongifolium ‘Raydon’s Favorite’, Aronia arbutifolia, Pinus virginiana, and Benthamidia florida.
More Details
- Plant Type
shrub - Sun/Shade Conditions
filtered-shade, full-sun - Foliage Character
deciduous - Soil Moisture
average, dry - Flowering Period
early-summer, mid-summer - Soil PH
acidic, adaptable - Flower Color
lavender, pink - Summer Foliage Color
green - Fall Foliage Color
chartreuse - Fruit/Seed Color
purple
Additional Information
USDA Plants Database, USDA Forest Service (FEIS Lab), Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center