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Image of the ornamental fruits of the beautiful butterfly and bird
attractor, Callicarpa Amerlcana or American Beautyberry or Beautyberry
Nice foliage of Callicarpa Amerlcana or French Mulberry |
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Callicarpa americana
(American Beautyberry, Beautyberry, French Mulberry)
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Family: Verbenaceae
Origin: Native from Maryland to Florida and west through
Tennessee Arkansas and Texas
Light: Sun-part shade/light shade
Height: Up to 6'
Spread: 4-6'
Blooms: Pale pink flowers in mid-Spring mature to closely knitted
clusters of metallic magenta and violet berries in the Fall
Foliage: Deciduous, 6-10" long, green to yellow-green, opposite,
prominently-veined, ovate to broadly , coarsely serrated to crenate
margins, hairy underneath
Soil: Well-drained, moist, rich, organic, drought-tolerant when
established, acidic-neutral (pH:5.6-7.5)
Water: Regular
Propagation: Seeds (remove fleshy coatings, soak in hot water), softwood cuttings (when
placed in sandy moist soil, should root in about 2 weeks)
Uses: Specimen, shrub border, landscaping, woodland setting, mass
planting, food source for wildlife, floral arrangement
Comments: Callicarpa Amerlcana or American Beautyberry or
Beautyberry or French Mulberry is an herbaceous, ornamental shrub with
an erect, open, growth habit. It is an American native. In
mid-Spring, Callicarpa Americana bears beautiful pale pink blossoms,
appearing on new growth followed by clusters of vibrant, metallic-purple
fruits. Bees, butterflies and birds especially
Bobwhites, Mockingbirds,
robins, cardinals, catbirds, towhees, brown finches and brown thrashers
find the berries irrisistible.
The fruits are also a favorite with florists and are often used in
flower arrangements. American Beautyberry provide Fall
interests when the
green leaves turn chartreuse.
Callicarpa Amerlcana is easily propagated from seeds or cuttings
and it thrives well in the sun to part shade or light shade landscape. It is heat and cold tolerant.
Trim
American Beautyberry shrub
to ground in late Winter or
early Spring to promote flowering and a fuller growth next season.
Plant French Mulberry in masses for a striking effect in the
shrub border or plant it as an understory plant in the landscaping
garden or in a woodland setting. French mulberry has medicinal
value.
Crushed leaves rubbed onto skin wards off
ticks, ants and mosquitoes. 'Lactea' is another cultivar of
American Beautyberry that
has white fruits. Callicarpa Amerlcana is a conversational piece
and is definately a winner in Jenny's Garden.
USDA Hardiness Zones : 7-10 |
