Callicarpa: Planting, Growing and Caring

Botany

Beautyberries are trees or shrubs primarily native to East Asia (China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan…). Thus, Callicarpa bodinieri originates from China and was introduced to France in the late 19th century. Other Callicarpa species are native to North or South America, such as Callicarpa americana, which comes from the southeastern United States (Florida, Virginia, Louisiana, Texas…). Some species are even found in Australia and Madagascar! In the wild, beautyberries mainly grow in forests. Species from tropical forests are evergreen, while those we cultivate in our gardens, from temperate zones, are deciduous.

Beautyberry belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This is a large family, comprising over 6,000 species of plants with simple, opposite leaves, often toothed, with irregular flowers… These are generally fragrant plants, widely used for their medicinal or aromatic properties, such as Sage, Mint, Thyme or Lavender. It also includes other ornamental shrubs, like Caryopteris or Clerodendron. Beautyberry was formerly classified among the Verbenaceae, the family of verbena and lantanas.

Callicarpa bodinieri: botanical plate

There are nearly 170 species of beautyberry. Despite this large number of species, essentially one variety is found in garden centres, Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’, which is far more widespread than all others! This variety has been favoured because it offers very generous fruiting and is rather robust, with good hardiness.

Etymologically, beautyberry owes its name to the beauty of its berries: in Greek, kallos means beautiful, and karpos: fruit. In English, it is called BeautyBerry, which means the same thing, “pretty berries”. In French, it is also popularly known as the “Candy Bush”.

Beautyberries are shrubs that can reach up to three metres in height. Some are more compact, like Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Issai’, which reaches about 1.20 m tall. Beautyberries often have rather irregular shapes and are roughly as wide as they are tall. Their branches are generally quite long and curved. This is what gives Callicarpa dichotoma its particularly elegant habit, with long, drooping branches. Beautyberry stems are pubescent, covered with small hairs, as is the underside of the leaves.

In midsummer, around July, beautyberry bears rather inconspicuous flowers, sometimes hidden by the leaves. They are grouped in small, dense cymes, usually three to four centimetres in diameter, located in the leaf axils. The flowers are pretty but discreet… From a distance, they are hardly noticeable. They consist of a four-lobed corolla (fused petals), often soft pink, with four long yellow stamens protruding. The flowers are white in Callicarpa japonica ‘Leucocarpa’ (like the fruits). In other varieties, they can take on red or purple hues. Most beautyberries are hermaphroditic.

The flowering of Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’

In autumn, from October onwards, beautyberry impresses with its berries, shiny and perfectly round, with superb colours! They resemble marbles, with metallic reflections. They are often pink or purple… with the exception of Callicarpa japonica ‘Leucocarpa’, which has white berries! They are usually 3 to 4 mm in diameter. They are clustered around the branches in small, dense groups. They are pressed close to the stems, as their peduncle is very short.

They are not edible, neither for us nor for birds, which fortunately ignore them! They can thus remain on the shrub for a long time… usually until December! They stay in place after the foliage falls, allowing us to fully enjoy them. Each berry contains four small seeds. They sometimes germinate spontaneously at the base of the shrub.

Beautyberry foliage is rather ordinary. As with other Lamiaceae, the leaves are entire, simple, with toothed edges, and arranged oppositely on the branches. They have small hairs on their underside.

However, beautyberry leaves take on very beautiful colours in autumn! They are adorned with yellow, orange, red or purple hues. The foliage of Callicarpa rubella is remarkable as it turns pink in autumn, while that of Callicarpa japonica becomes golden with touches of purple! When it takes on bright hues at the end of the year, the foliage creates a superb contrast with the purple berries. Sometimes, it’s the young leaves that are interesting for their colours, like those of Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’, tinged with bronze. There is even a variety with leaves marbled with white, Callicarpa japonica ‘Koshima-no-homate’, but it is quite rare in cultivation.

The beautyberries we cultivate in our gardens are deciduous shrubs, losing their leaves in winter, while other species, native to tropical regions, are evergreen.

The foliage of Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’

Botanical species:

• Callicarpa bodinieri

By far the most cultivated beautyberry, especially the variety ‘Profusion’! It is remarkable for its generous flowering and good hardiness. It originates from China and was introduced to France in the late 19th century.

• Callicarpa dichotoma

This is the most elegant beautyberry! It is not very tall but has long, drooping branches that give it a particularly graceful habit. Its leaves turn red in autumn. It will need protection in colder regions, as it is more fragile than Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’.

• Callicarpa kwangtungensis

This beautyberry has white-pink flowers, followed by violet-pink berries. Its leaves, finer and longer than other species, take on very beautiful colours.

• Callicarpa japonica

This is a rather compact beautyberry, not exceeding 1.50 m in height. It takes on superb hues in autumn, its foliage then becoming golden with purple nuances.

• Callicarpa americana

This species, native to the southeastern United States, has, like Callicarpa dichotoma, long, drooping branches that give it a very elegant appearance. It bears pretty pink-purple berries in autumn.

Callicarpa americana

The main varieties of Callicarpa

Most Popular

Our Favourite Varieties

Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii Profusion

This is the most widespread variety! Young leaves have a lovely bronze colour, turning green before taking on yellow hues in autumn! In summer, it bears pink flowers followed by abundant deep purple berries. It has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 2,50 m

See the product sheet

 

Callicarpa bodinieri Imperial Pearl

This French cultivar produces even more berries than the classic 'Profusion' variety. It's also slightly shorter in height. Its foliage turns orange in autumn.

• Flowering time July to September
• Height at maturity 2 m

See the product sheet

 

Callicarpa dichotoma Albibacca

A recent variety displaying lovely white berries that persist on the branches for a long time. Compact in size, it can grace any garden!

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 1,40 m

See the product sheet

Callicarpa dichotoma Issai

This shrub has a rounded, compact habit, growing shorter than Callicarpa bodinieri 'Profusion'. Its long, gracefully arching branches cascade elegantly towards the ground. Well-suited to small gardens, it bears subtle mauve-pink flowers in summer, followed by violet berries in autumn.

• Flowering time July, August
• Height at maturity 1,25 m

See the product sheet

 

Callicarpa kwangtungensis

This species offers white-pink flowers followed by purple berries. Its foliage changes colour with the seasons, turning orange-purple in autumn! The leaves are more elongated than other varieties.

• Flowering time August, September
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the product sheet

 

Callicarpa japonica Leucocarpa

This variety is prized for its white berries, resembling pearls! They follow white summer blooms. Its foliage turns yellow in autumn. A fairly compact variety, ideal for small gardens.

• Flowering time September, October
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the product sheet

Planting Callicarpa

Where to Plant?

Plant your Callicarpa preferably in full sun. This will encourage fruiting. In northern France, it’s best to place it in full sun, while if you live in the South, partial shade will suit it perfectly! It tolerates lightly shaded positions as long as there is enough light, which is essential for good flowering and fruiting.

It enjoys moist soils that don’t dry out too much, even in midsummer. It’s advisable to add a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture. The soil should also be relatively light and well-draining to prevent waterlogging, which can cause root rot. If your soil is heavy or clay-based, don’t hesitate to mix in materials to improve drainage: gravel, coarse sand, pumice…

Callicarpa isn’t overly sensitive to pH but dislikes overly chalky soils. It thrives in organically rich soils, so we recommend adding compost at planting time and then once a year in spring. It’s also best planted in a sheltered spot, protected from strong winds.

We suggest planting it near your house, perhaps opposite a window, so you can easily enjoy its winter display without having to venture to the far end of your garden!

When to Plant?

The best time to plant your Callicarpa is in autumn, during September or October. It can also be planted in spring. The key is to avoid planting during frosty periods.

How to Plant?

It’s best to group several Callicarpa plants together rather than planting them singly. This helps with pollination, increasing the chances of abundant berries. In any case, the visual impact will be far more striking with multiple shrubs planted together!

1. Soak the root ball in a bucket of water to rehydrate it and aid establishment.
2. Dig a planting hole, ideally three to four times larger than the root ball. We recommend adding well-rotted compost, especially if the soil is poor. If your soil is heavy or clay-based, add a drainage layer (gravel, pumice…).
3. Position the root ball, ensuring the shrub stands upright.
4. Backfill with soil and gently firm it down.
5. You may wish to add a stake, particularly if the shrub is already quite tall.
6. Water thoroughly, then apply a layer of mulch around the base (leaf mould, wood chips…). This helps retain soil moisture.

Continue watering regularly in the weeks following planting.

Maintenance

The callicarpa is an easy-to-grow shrub that requires very little maintenance. It rarely gets sick and is practically never attacked by pests! We recommend applying a layer of mulch at its base to preserve soil moisture. Initially, it’s best to water young callicarpa plants about once a week. When they’re more mature, they show good drought resistance. We also suggest adding some well-rotted compost in spring as callicarpas prefer fairly rich soils. During the first few years, you may want to protect it from cold, especially if you’re growing species other than Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’. Spring frosts may damage young shoots. Callicarpas are more sensitive to cold when still young.

Callicarpa can do perfectly well without pruning. However, you may carry out formative pruning during the first few years to create a balanced and harmonious shape. In subsequent years, when the shrub is more established, you can perform maintenance pruning. Remove any damaged, misshapen or poorly positioned branches. Pruning callicarpa will also help control its growth to maintain a compact habit, which is useful if your garden is small. Prune in early spring, around April.

Propagation

Callicarpa can be propagated by seed or by cuttings. We recommend cuttings to ensure you get a plant identical to the original. Seed propagation is best reserved for botanical species.

Seed Propagation

Callicarpa is easily propagated from seed in spring or autumn. It’s best to remove the pulp from the fruit, keeping only the seeds. Dry them and store in a cool, dry place before sowing.

1. Start by soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours.
2. Prepare a pot with a mix of compost and sand.
3. Sow the seeds.
4. Gently firm the soil and water.
5. Place the pot in a warm, bright spot.

Keep the growing medium moist until germination.

Seeds may take two to three months to germinate. You can repot them, but we recommend keeping them in a pot for a year before planting them in the garden.

Cuttings

You can take semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.

1. Fill a pot with compost mixed with a little sand.
2. Take a 10 cm cutting from the tip of a healthy branch.
3. Make a clean cut just below a node (where leaves attach to the stem).
4. Remove the lower leaves, keeping only two at the top.
5. We recommend dipping the base in rooting hormone to encourage rooting.
6. Plant the cutting in the growing medium.
7. Firm the soil to remove air pockets and ensure good contact.
8. Water.
9. Cover the pot with a plastic bag or bottle to maintain humidity. Ventilate occasionally to prevent fungal growth.
10. Place the pot in a warm, bright spot but out of direct sunlight.

Keep the growing medium moist until the cutting establishes.

→ Learn more about Callicarpa propagation with Virginie’s tutorial!

Callicarpa japonica ‘Leucocarpa’ (photo Shihchuan)

Association

The beautyberry is perfect for creating a stunning autumn scene, in soft and warm tones dominated by purple, pink, mauve, violet, orange, and gold hues… You can draw inspiration from this autumnal theme!

Pair it with autumn-flowering plants! You can plant it alongside Persicaria amplexicaulis (such as the variety ‘Pink Elephant’) or Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’. Some asters also bloom until November, like Aster novae-angliae ‘Herbstschnee’ or Aster divaricatus. To add brightness, choose rudbeckias (such as Rudbeckia triloba), coreopsis, or chrysanthemums. If you live in a mild climate, enjoy the vibrant blooms of Schizostylis coccinea. For lightness, add ornamental grasses like pennisetum or miscanthus to your border.

Pair your beautyberry with autumn blooms! Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘JS Delgado’, Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’, Pennisetum setaceum, and Callicarpa bodinieri (Photo: Sten)

Incorporate your beautyberry into a mixed hedge with other berry-bearing or decorative-foliage shrubs. Many shrubs offer brightly coloured berries in late autumn! For a soft pairing, choose snowberries with their delicate pink or white berries. Enjoy the European spindle, Euonymus europaeus, which boasts not only decorative fruits but also fiery autumn foliage! Create striking contrast by combining the purple berries of beautyberries with the orange berries of pyracantha or sea buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides… or with the red berries of cotoneasters! Also consider ornamental crabapples. Finally, plant your beautyberry near pheasant berry, Leycesteria formosa, whose berries remain decorative well into late autumn.

Don’t hesitate to pair it with other shrubs renowned for their autumn foliage: Acer palmatum, Viburnum, Cornus… Enjoy the delicate, airy foliage of sacred bamboo, Nandina domestica, which turns red in late autumn. The beautyberry also pairs beautifully with shrubs prized for their decorative stems, such as Cornus sanguinea or Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’! The purple berries will perfectly complement the red or orange stems of dogwoods, creating a vibrant and luminous display.

Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’ (Photo: David J. Stang), Euonymus europaeus, Nandina domestica, Symphoricarpos ‘Magical Candy’, and Cornus alba ‘Siberian Pearls’

You can also plant them with other beautyberries! Feel free to mix different varieties with berries of contrasting colours—for example, pairing the purple berries of Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Profusion’ with the white berries of Callicarpa japonica ‘Leucocarpa’. Grouping beautyberries will result in more abundant fruiting, as pollination is improved.

Did you know?

• A callicarpa as a bonsai!

It is possible to train callicarpa as bonsai. You’ll get a truly spectacular dwarf shrub in autumn! The most commonly used species is Callicarpa japonica.